40 Bt Gay Sgers & Micians Of All Time (LGBTQ+ Sgers)

Contents:

• 40 BT GAY SGERS & MICIANS OF ALL TIME (LGBTQ+ SGERS)
• LGBTQ+ BANDS: OUR TOP 10 FAVORE GAY BANDS
• TOP 50 GAY MALE {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}NEWSBY DAVIS MALLORYFEBARY 7, 2011/10:00 AMBY DAVIS MALLORYFEBARY 7, 2011 / 10:00 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"TOP 50 GAY MALE MICIANS","DATEPUBLISHED":"2011-02-07T15:00:22.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2011-02-07T15:00:22.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"DAVIS MALLORY","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"NEWS"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE DAYS, WH MORE AND MORE PUBLIC FIGUR G FORWARD ABOUT THEIR SEXUALY, WAS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME THAT WE HERE AT PUT TOGETHER A LIST OF THE MOST FLUENTIAL AND TRIGUG OPENLY GAY AND BISEXUAL MALE MICIANS OF THE PAST CENTURY. COMPILG A LIST LIKE THIS WAS NO SMALL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHILE WE’VE LIMED THIS TO ONLY 50 MICIANS, THE NUMBER OF OPENLY GAY ARTISTS FAR SURPASS THAT NUMBER, AND WE’RE SURE YOU WILL LIKELY SPOT AN ARTIST NEAR AND AR TO YOUR HEART THAT WE LEFT OUT. TST THAT WAS NOT DONE MALICE. WE SIMPLY TRIED TO ASSEMBLE A LIST OF THOSE ARTISTS WE FEEL HAVE BEEN BOTH SUCCSFUL THEIR REERS WHILE ALSO RAISG AWARENS TOWARD GAY RIGHTS ISSU AND GIVG BACK TO THE MUNY WHICH THEY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WE ALSO CID TO LE OUT THOSE ARTISTS WHOSE SEXUALY WAS OFTEN MORED TO BE GAY, BUT HAVE NEVER BEEN NFIRMED BY THE ARTISTS THEMSELV, TAKE MORRISSEY OR LIBERACE FOR EXAMPLE. WE ALSO CID TO OM THOSE MICIANS WHO APPEARED TO FLIRT WH BEG BISEXUAL, BUT ULTIMATELY SEEM TO NSIR THEMSELV STRAIGHT, SUCH AS DAVID BOWIE, OR MICIANS WHO HAVE TALKED VAGUE GENERALI ABOUT BISEXUALY BUT AGA ULTIMATELY SEEM CLEARLY HETEROSEXUAL, SUCH AS GREEN DAY ONT MAN BILLIE JOE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SO HERE WE ARE WH A LIST HONORG THOSE OUT AND PROUD MEN WHO HAVE PAVED THE WAY FOR MANY OTHERS LIKE THEM AND MANY MORE WHO WILL SURELY E. THE MEN HAVE BEEN A POSIVE FLUENCE FOR GLBT YOUTH AROUND THE WORLD, AND BY THEIR HONTY THEY HAVE HELPED SHAPE THE CURRENT CLIMATE AND ACCEPTABILY FOR BEG AN OPENLY GAY MALE ARTIST TODAY’S MIC {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE ARE ARTISTS WHO RISKED THEIR REERS TO BE TE TO THEIR SEXUALY, AND WHO MAKE PROUD TO BE THE GAY AND BI MEN THAT WE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}50. TIZIANO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ITALIAN POP SGER TIZIANO FERRO GOT HIS START LIKE NUMERO AMERIN IDOL FALISTS THE DAYS BY PARTICIPATG A TALENT SHOW - THE SANREMO MIC FTIVAL 1998. WHILE FERRO DID NOT W THE PETN, HE DID MAKE TO THE 12 FALISTS, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY HE UGHT THE ATTENTN OF TWO PRODUCERS THE DIENCE – ALBERTO SALERNO AND MARA {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TOGETHER THEY WORKED ON FERRO’S BUT ALBUM ROSSO RELATIVO, RELEASED 2001. FERRO’S SONG “UNIVERSAL PRAYER” WAS ED AT THE 2004 OLYMPIC GAM ATHENS, GREECE, AND HE HAS SCE GONE ON TO SELL OVER 8 LN ALBUMS WORLDWI, PART BEE FERRO IS FLUENT SPANISH AND RELEAS SPANISH VERSNS OF HIS ITALIAN ALBUMS. RECENTLY FERRO MA HEADL WHEN HE CHOSE TO E OUT TO ITALIAN VANY FAIR MAGAZE ON OCTOBER 5, 2010, STATG “I WANT TO FALL LOVE WH A MAN.” FERRO IS OUR MOST RECENTLY OUT GAY MALE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}49. COLTON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BORN GLENN SOIAN, COLTON FORD FIRST ROSE TO PROMENCE AS A GAY ADULT FILM STAR OM 2001-2002 WH 11 FILMS TO DATE, MANY OF WHICH I’M SURE YOU’VE ALREADY SEEN. INTERTGLY ENOUGH, BEFORE FORD’S TIME THE MOVIE DTRY, HE BEGAN HIS REER AS A BACK-UP SGER FOR THE LIK OF SALT ‘N PEPA, CHAKA KHAN, AND VANSA {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FORD WALKED AWAY OM THE ADULT FILM DTRY 2002 TO REFOC HIS REER ON MIC, GENERATG A STRG OF CLUB/DANCE HS CLUDG “EVERYTHG” AND “THAT’S ME” ON WHICH HE LLABORATED WH CAZWELL. HIS VER OF STEVIE WONR’S “SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED I’M YOURS” PEAKED AT NO. 9 ON THE HOT DANCE CLUB PLAY CHART WHILE HIS BUT ALBUM TUG OF WAR WAS RELEASED 2008. IN THE SAME YEAR HE PARTICIPATED THE TE COLORS TOUR ALONGSI CYNDI LPER, THE INDIGO GIRLS AND JOAN JETT. FORD APPEARS THE MIC VIO FOR LPER’S 2008 SGLE “INTO THE NIGHTLIFE.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FORD’S SEND ALBUM UNR THE COVERS FEATUR HIS VERSNS OF TRACKS OM ARTISTS LIKE BRNEY SPEARS’ “TROUBLE” AND ROBYN’S “WH EVERY HEARTBEAT.” SO WHAT KD OF MAN IS SOMEONE LIKE COLTON FORD TO? HE SAYS HE LIK “A MAN WHO N BE VULNERABLE, SHARE HIS SECURI, BE THE MOMENT AND BE VERY HONT AND THENTIC. THAT SPEAKS TO ME MORE THAN ANYTHG. THAT’S A REALLY, REALLY HOT QUALY.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}48. JAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE TEXAS BORN BRANNAN HAS BEEN PARED TO RUF WAWRIGHT FOR HIS OPENNS AS A GAY ARTIST, AND HAS BEEN PARED TO ANI DIFRAN AND JONI MCHELL FOR HIS CRAFTS WH SONGWRG, POSSSG THE QUALI OF AN “ANGRY, SAD WOMAN.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 2002, AFTER JT ONE SEMTER OF LLEGE OH, BRANNAN SET OUT FOR NEW YORK CY HOPG TO BREAK TO THE ENTERTAMENT DTRY. HE QUICKLY LAND A ROLE THE FILM SHORTB AND GOT THE CHANCE TO ADD HIS OWN SONG “SODA SHOP” TO THE MOVIE’S SOUNDTRACK. BRANNAN’S MIC REER SOON TOOK OFF AS HE UTILIZED MYSPACE, YOUTUBE AND BLOGSPOT TO ROUTELY UPLOAD SELF-MA MIC VIOS. HE SOON VELOPED A LOYAL FAN BASE AND 2008, BRANNAN RELEASED HIS BUT ALBUM GODDAMNED AND FOLLOWED UP WH AN ALBUM OF VER SONGS IN LIVG COLOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}47. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JORDANIAN-AMERIN LOS ANGEL-BASED SGER-SONGWRER, FERRAS GREW UP A SMALL TOWN ILLOIS WHERE HE NEVER FELT LIKE HE REALLY F . AFTER HIS PARENTS DIVORCED, HIS FATHER KIDNAPPED HIM AND BROUGHT HIM TO JORDAN, WHERE HE BEGAN PLAYG A CAS KEYBOARD AND BEGAN WRG HIS OWN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FERRAS’ FIRST ALBUM, ALIENS AND RABOWS FEATURED THE SONG “HOLLYWOOD’S NOT AMERI,” WHICH WAS ED AS THE EX SONG FOR SEASON SEVEN OF AMERIN IDOL. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE HAS SCE -WRTEN SEVERAL SONGS FOR ARTISTS CLUDG ADAM LAMBERT AND THE VERONIS, AND IS CURRENTLY WORKG ON HIS NEXT ALBUM WHICH HE HOP TO RELEASE 2011. (IT IS CURRENTLY POST-PRODUCTN.){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WH HIS SMOOTH, SWEET VOICE AND HIS CREDIBLE SONGWRG ABILY, FERRAS IS CERTALY A TALENT TO WATCH. AND WHAT DO OPENLY GAY FERRAS LOOK FOR A MATE? “A SENSE OF HUMOR. AND A GREAT ASS”.{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}46. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MASSACHETTS-BORN LE CASWELL, AKA CAZWELL, HAS BEEN PRAISED AT THE GAY MAN’S EMEM AND IS A PERSONAL FAVORE OF SIR ELTON JOHN. BT KNOWN FOR HIS GAY AND BISEXUAL-THEMED LYRICS, AS WELL AS HIS SEXUAL VIOS WHICH OFTEN FEATURE MEOS BY NEW YORK-BASED TRANSSEXUAL IN AMANDA LEPORE, CAZWELL’S FLUENC RANGE OM THE NOTOR B.I.G. TO THE BEASTIE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HIS BUT ALBUM, GET INTO IT, WAS RELEASED 2006 AND THE MIC VIO FOR THE LEAD SGLE “ALL OVER YOUR FACE” TURNED OUT TO BE TOO NTROVERSIAL TO BE AIRED ON LOGO DUE TO THE EXPLIC LYRICS AND SEXUAL THEM. DURG 2007 CAZWELL TOURED ALONGSI CYNDI LPER, RUF WAWRIGHT, THE INDIGO GIRLS AND OTHER SPECIAL GUTS ON THE TE COLORS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE VIO FOR CAZWELL’S IL SGLE “I SEEN BEYONCE AT BURGER KG” WENT VIRAL 2008 AND 2010 CAZWELL RELEASED THE VIO FOR “ICE CREAM TCK”, WHICH THE ADVOTE LLED “THE SUMMER’S RNCHIT MIC VIO.” FEATURG A PACK OF HALF-NAKED CHISELED GO GO BOYS, ’S NO SURPRISE THE VIO GAED OVER ONE LN VIEWS S FIRST WEEK. IT SEEMS CAZWELL CERTALY KNOWS WHAT GAY MEN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}45. OWEN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IF YOU’RE A FAN OF ANDREW BIRD, BEIT, OR AR FIRE, THEN YOU’RE LIKELY FAIAR WH CANADIAN POSER, VLIST, KEYBOARDIST AND VOLIST OWEN PALLETT. PALLETT -WROTE THE STRGS ARRANGEMENTS FOR AR FIRE’S ALBUMS FUNERAL, NEON BIBLE AND THE SUBURBS. HE BEGAN HIS MIC REER UNR THE ALIAS “FAL FANTASY,” A NAME HE CREATED DUE TO HIS AFFY FOR THE JAPANE VIOGAME SERI OF THE SAME {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PALLET’S PENCHANT FOR HUMORO ALBUM TL RULTED THE UNFETTABLE NAME OF HIS SEND ALBUM, HE POOS CLOUDS, WHICH WENT ON TO W CANADA’S POLARIS MIC PRIZE 2006. IT WAS AT THIS TIME THAT PALLETT’S REER BEGAN TO REALLY TAKE OFF, AND HE HIRED HIS BOYIEND PATRICK BORJAL AS HIS MANAGER AND THEY FORMED THE APTLY TLED PANY BOYIEND MANAGEMENT. IN 2009, PALLETT RETIRED THE E OF HIS BAND NAME FAL FANTASY AND RELEASED HIS CRILLY ACCLAIMED ALBUM {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}44. PATRICK {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ENGLISH SGER-SONGWRER PATRICK WOLF IS KNOWN FOR BG CLASSIL STMENTS SUCH AS THE PIANO, VLA, AND ULELE WH ELECTRONIC TECHNO-POP BEATS. WOLF’S ALBUM WD THE WIR GAED HIM NSIRABLE DIE MIC RPECT AND HE BEGAN PERFORMG WH THE LIK OF OWEN PALLETT, THE HIDN CAMERAS, AND AR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HIS THIRD ALBUM MAGIC POSN IS WHEN HE BEGAN TO SEE TE MERCIAL SUCCS AND EMBARKED ON A TOUR OF NORTH AMERI, EUROPE, JAPAN AND ATRALIA. THE OPENLY BISEXUAL WOLF SPARKED NTROVERSY AROUND HIS SEXUALY DURG AN TERVIEW WH THE LONDON PAPER WHEN HE STATED “IN THE SAME WAY I DON’T KNOW IF MY SIXTH ALBUM IS GOG TO BE A ATH-METAL RERD OR CHILDREN’S POP, I DON’T KNOW WHETHER I’M STED TO LIVE MY LIFE WH A HORSE, A WOMAN OR A MAN.” HE HAS BEEN A LONG-TERM RELATNSHIP WH A MAN NAMED WILLIAM SCE AUGT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}43. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YANIS SAHRAOUL, AKA SLIIMY, IS OF MOROCN-ALGERIAN SCENT AND A NATIVE OF FRANCE. THE FORMER TEENAGE CHOIRBOY WH AN UNDYG VOTN TO LILY ALLEN AND AN UNNNY REMBLANCE TO PRCE, RELEASED HIS BUT ALBUM PAT YOUR FACE 2009. THE ALBUM QUICKLY CLIMBED TO NO. 2 ON THE FRANCE ALBUM CHARTS, BUT WAS HIS VER OF BRNEY SPEARS’ “WOMANIZER” THAT BROUGHT HIM AMERIN ATTENTN. (KATY PERRY AND LADY GAGA BOTH TWEETED HIS VIO).{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CELEBRY BLOGGER PEREZ HILTON SIGNED HIM AS THE BUT ARTIST FOR HILTON’S PEREZC MIC LABEL. JT THREE DAYS BEFORE THE RELEASE OF HIS ALBUM, SLIIMY BOLDLY ANNOUNCED THAT HE IS GAY. “I DON’T HAVE ANY PROBLEM SAYG THAT I’M GAY. I EMBRACE AND DON’T WANT TO HI .”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}42. STEPH MERRT (THE MAGIC FIELDS){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BOSTON-BORN SGER/SONGWRER AND MULTI-STMENTALIST STEPH MERRT IS BT KNOWN AS THE LEAD SGER OF THE SYNTHPOP, FOLK GROUP THE MAGIC FIELDS. KNOWN FOR HIS UNTRAED AND DISTCT BARONE VOICE, MERRT HAS BEEN DUBBED “THE MOST MISERABLE MAN ROCK” DUE TO HIS BTER, IRONIC, AND OFTEN HUMORO TAKE ON LOVE. KNOWN MIC CIRCL AS A “GAY SYNTH-POP” GROUP, THE MAGIC FIELDS NSIST OF ONE GAY MALE ARTIST (MERRT), ONE LBIAN (CLDIA GONSON), ONE STRAIGHT FEMALE (SAN AMWAY, WHO IS NO LONGER WH THE GROUP), AND TWO STRAIGHT MAL (SAM DAVOL AND JOHN WOO).{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THEIR BT-KNOWN WORK IS THEIR THREE-VOLUME NCEPT ALBUM 69 LOVE SONGS, VOTED ALBUM OF THE YEAR BY THE VILLAGE VOICE. THEY ARE ALSO KNOWN FOR THEIR WI RANGE OF STMENTATN CLUDG THE ACRDN, BANJO, CELLO, FLUTE, MANDOL, ULELE, AND XYLOPHONE. MERR’S LYRICS OFTEN AL WH HIS SEXUALY AS EVINCED BY HIS TRACK “WHEN MY BOY WALKS DOWN THE STREET” FEATURG THE LYRICS “AMAZG, HE’S A WHOLE NEW FORM OF LIFE, BLUE EY BLAZG, AND HE’S GOG TO BE MY WIFE.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}41. JT TRANTER (SEMI PREC WEAPONS){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JT TRANTER IS MOST FAMO FOR HIS ROLE AS THE LEAD SGER OF THE NEW YORK-BASED GLAM ROCK BAND SEMI PREC WEAPONS. RAISED LAKE ZURICH, ILLOIS, TRANTER STUDIED AT THE CHIGO AMY FOR THE ARTS AND AT THE BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MIC BOSTON, GRADUATG WH A GREE SONGWRG. IN 2006, TRANTER, ALONG WH FELLOW BERKLEE GRADUAT, STEVY PYNE, COLE WHTLE AND DEAN CREAN, FORMED SEMI PREC WEAPONS. TRANTER ALSO VELOPED A JEWELRY LE LLED “FETTY” THAT IS SOLD AT BARNEYS, URBAN OUTFTERS AND HOT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FUND BY THE SAL OF HIS JEWELRY LE, TRANTER RERD AND RELEASED THE FIRST SPW ALBUM WE LOVE YOU 2008 WH THE STANDOUT SGLE “MAGIC BABY” AND THE GROUP WAS SIGNED TO INTERSPE RERDS THE NEXT YEAR. TRANTER IS A CLOSE IEND TO LADY GAGA, AND SPW MA A MEO HER “TELEPHONE” MIC VIO AND HAS BEEN A RECURRG OPENG ACT ON HER MONSTER BALL TOUR. OPENLY GAY, TRANTER ME OUT AT 14 AND FAMOLY STATED AN TERVIEW WH : “IF THEY AREN'T GOG TO GIVE ME AND THE RT OF THE HOMOS EQUAL RIGHTS THEN I DON'T WANT TO PAY EQUAL TAX”.{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}40. RAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BORN MUNCIE, INDIANA, RAY BOLTZ IS AN AWARD-WNG NTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN SGER/SONGWRER. BOLTZ’S REER CHRISTIAN MIC TOOK OFF WHEN HIS SONG “THANK YOU” RECEIVED THE SONG OF THE YEAR AWARD AT THE 1990 GMA DOVE AWARDS AND HE HAS SCE GONE ON TO SELL OVER 4.5 LN RERDS. BOLTZ WAS MARRIED TO HIS WIFE CAROL FOR OVER 30 YEARS BEFORE G OUT 2008 THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE OF THE WASHGTON BLA. IN THE TERVIEW, BOLTZ STATED: "IF THIS IS THE WAY GOD MA ME, THEN THIS IS THE WAY I'M GOG TO LIVE. IT'S NOT LIKE GOD MA ME THIS WAY AND HE'LL SEND ME TO HELL IF I AM WHO HE CREATED ME TO BE — I REALLY FEEL CLOSER TO GOD BEE I NO LONGER HATE MYSELF."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SCE THEN HE HAS NTUED TO PERFORM AT SEVERAL CHURCH OM THE GAY-AFFIRMG CHRISTIAN NOMATN METROPOLAN COMMUNY CHURCH. IN 2010, HE RELEASED THE ALBUM TE WH THE SONGS “DON’T TELL ME WHO TO LOVE,” ALG WH SAME-SEX MARRIAGE, AND “WHO WOULD J LOVE,” A SONG ABOUT RENCILG HIS SEXUALY AND HIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}39. JOE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JOE MCELRRY GAED REGNN AS THE WNER OF THE SIXTH SEASON OF UK’S THE X FACTOR 2009. MCELRRY FIRST DNED FOR THE X FACTOR 2007 BUT OPTED TO WALK AWAY OM THE PETN BEE HE FELT HE WAS TOO YOUNG PARED TO THE OTHER NTTANTS. IN 2009, HE AGA CID TO DN FOR THE SHOW AND WOUND UP WNG WH HIS VER OF MILEY CYS’S “THE CLIMB.” HIS VER OF CYS’S SONG WENT ON TO REACH NO. 1 ON BOTH THE UK AND IRELAND’S SGLE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MCELRRY’S PRIZE AS WNER OF THE X FACTOR WAS A RERDG NTRACT WH SIMON COWELL’S SY RERD LABEL WORTH AN TIMATED £1 LN. MCELRRY WAS ALSO FEATURED ON THE CHARY SGL OF R.E.M.’S “EVERYBODY HURTS” FOR THE 2010 HAIAN EARTHQUAKE AND JULY 2010, MCELRRY POSTED ON HIS OFFICIAL WEBSE THAT HE IS GAY AND GAVE AN TERVIEW TO THE UK’S DAILY MAIL WHICH HE CLARED “I’M REALLY HAPPY, I NOW KNOW WHO I AM…. I’VE HAD TIME TO THK ABOUT THGS. I WASN’T ATTRACTED TO ANYONE ANYWAY, MALE OR FEMALE. IT NEVER REALLY ENTERED MY HEAD I WAS GAY. BUT I JT KNOW. IT’S HOW I FEEL.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE RELEASE PARTY FOR HIS BUT ALBUM WI AWAKE WAS HELD AT LONDON’S FAMO CLUB G-A-Y ON OCTOBER 23, 2010 AND THE TRACK “SOMEONE WAKE ME UP” IS FEATURED ON THE SOUNDTRACK FOR DISNEY’S THE CHRONICL OF NARNIA: THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}38. MATT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE SON OF FAMED UNTRY MIC STAR GARY MORRIS, MATT MORRIS IS A FORMER MEMBER OF THE DISNEY CHANNEL’S THE MICKEY MOE CLUB ALONGSI JT TIMBERLAKE, CHRISTA AGUILERA, BRNEY SPEARS, RYAN GOSLG, KERI RSELL, AND JC CHASEZ. MORRIS FOUND SUCCS AS A SONGWRER THE EARLY 2000S WH HS LIKE AGUILERA’S “CAN’T HOLD US DOWN” AND KELLY CLARKSON’S “MISS INPENNT.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN JANUARY 2010, MORRIS RELEASED HIS BUT ALBUM WHEN EVERYTHG BREAKS OPEN ON TIMBERLAKE’S TENNMAN RERDS. HIS PERFORMANCE OF “HALLELUJAH” ALONGSI TIMBERLAKE FOR THE HOPE FOR HAI NOW TELETHON BEME THE MOST DOWNLOAD SONG OFF THE BROADST’S DIGAL RELEASE AND ROSE TO NO. 1 ON THE ITUN SGL CHART. MORRIS MARRIED HIS HBAND SEAN MICHAEL MORRIS DURG THE BRIEF TIME THAT SAME-SEX MARRIAGE WAS LEGAL CALIFORNIA. HIS HBAND ALSO SERV AS SPIRATN FOR THE SONG “LOVE” ON HIS BUT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}37. CHRIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CHRIS WILLIS IALLY BEGAN HIS REER AS A GOSPEL SGER, BUT RECEIVED TERNATNAL FAME FOR HIS LLABORATNS WH FRENCH MIC PRODUCER DAVID GUETTA ON TRACKS SUCH AS “LOVE IS GONE” “GETTG’ OVER” AND “LOVE DON’T LET ME GO.” IN THE MID-1990’S WILLIS RELEASED HIS SELF-TLED GOSPEL ALBUM AND WENT ON TOUR WH CHRISTIAN SGER TWILA PARIS AND EDIAN MARK LOWRY. TOWARD THE END OF THE ‘90S WILLIS FALLY MA PEACE WH HIS SEXUALY AND TRANSNED OUT OF GOSPEL MIC. WHILE DOG PUBLICY PARIS, WILLIS MET GUETTA AND THE TWO -WROTE AND RERD “JT A LTLE MORE LOVE” THAT SAME DAY, WHICH WENT ON TO BE A SMASH H ACROSS EUROPE. WILLIS HAS SCE BEEN FEATURED ON FIVE OF GUETTA’S ALBUMS; MOST RECENTLY WH THE SUCCSFUL SGLE “GETT’ OVER” OFF GUETTA’S GRAMMY-NOMATED 2009 RELEASE ONE LOVE. IN OCT 2010 WILLIS RELEASED HIS SOLO SGLE “LOUR (PUT YOUR HANDS UP).”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}36. EDWARD DROSTE (GRIZZLY BEAR){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}EDWARD DROSTE IS ONE OF THE ORIGAL MEMBERS OF THE BROOKLYN BASED DIE-ROCK QUARTET GRIZZLY BEAR. THE GROUP BEGAN AS A SOLO EFFORT ON DROSTE’S PART 2004. DROSTE ACCREDS THE BAND’S NAME TO A NICKNAME HE HAD FOR ONE OF HIS PAST BOYIENDS. BY 2005 DROSTE HAD EXPAND GRIZZLY BEAR TO A FOUR-MEMBER GROUP MAKG EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHELIC FOLK-POP MIC PARABLE TO THAT OF ANIMAL COLLECTIVE AND FLEET FOX. IN 2008 GRIZZLY BEAR OPENED FOR RADHEAD AND SOON AFTER RELEASED THEIR MOST CRILLY ACCLAIMED ALBUM TO DATE VECKATIMT, NAMED AFTER A SMALL, UNHABED ISLAND CAPE COD. THEIR FAN BASE NSISTS OF JAY-Z AND BEYONCE, WHO WERE RECENTLY SPOTTED AT ONE OF THEIR 2009 SHOWS. VECKATIMIST RANKED ON NUMERO LISTS AS ONE OF THE BT ALBUMS OF 2009 (WALL STREET JOURNAL, NEW YORK TIM, TIME MAGAZE) AND CLIMBED THE CHARTS TO S BETWEEN LADY GAGA’S THE FAME AND TAYLOR SWIFT’S FEARLS. WH ALL OF THIS SUCCS, WHAT DO SOMEONE LIKE DROSTE ENJOY DOG HIS SPARE TIME? SPENDG TIME AT HOME WH HIS TERR SIGNER BOYIEND CHAD MCPHAIL AND THEIR DOG, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}35. ROSTAM BATMANGLIJ (VAMPIRE WEEKEND){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ROSTAM BATMANGLIJ IS A MULTI-STMENTALIST, SONGWRER, PRODUCER AND SOLE GAY MEMBER OF THE NEW YORK CY-BASED DIE ROCK GROUP VAMPIRE WEEKEND. BATMANGLIJ IS ALSO THE -FOUNR OF ELECTRONIC FUNK PROJECT DISVERY WH RA RA RT VOLIST W MIL. BATMANGLIJ’S FAY MOVED OM IRAN TO AMERI JT BEFORE THE IRANIAN REVOLUTN 1979. HIS MOTHER NAJMIEAH IS A FAMO PERSIAN OKBOOK THOR AND HIS FATHER IS A PUBLISHER. WHILE ATTENDG COLUMBIA UNIVERSY, BATMANGLIJ MET HIS FELLOW VAMPIRE WEEKEND MEMBERS. THEIR BUT SELF-TLED ALBUM PRODUCED THE SGL “CAPE COD KWASSA KWASSA,” “MANSARD ROOF,” “A-PUNK,” AND “OXFORD COMMA.” “A-PUNK” WAS RANKED #4 ON ROLLG STONE MAGAZE’S LIST OF BT SONGS OF 2008. THE GROUP QUICKLY WENT OM PLAYG AT FFEE SHOPS AND BARS AROUND COLUMBIA UNIVERSY TO APPEARG ON DAVID LETTERMAN AND SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE AND SHARG MANAGEMENT WH THE WHE STRIP AND M.I.A.. FELLOW VAMPIRE WEEKEND BAND MATE EZRA KOENIG ACCREDS BATMANGLIJ AS THE KEY LYRICIST FOR HALF OF THE BAND’S SONGS. AS AN OPENLY GAY MAN, BATMANGLIJ SAYS HE’S EXCED TO RPORATE GAY THEM FUTURE SONGS, STARTG WH DISVERY’S “I WANNA BE YOUR BOYIEND.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}34. SAM {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ATRALIAN BORN SGER/SONGWRER AND MIC PRODUCER, SAM SPARRO (BORN SAM FALSON) WAS STED TO BE THE MIC BS OM THE START. WHEN SPARRO WAS ONLY 10, HIS FATHER, CHRIS FALSON, SIGNED A RERD AL TO CREATE A SOUL ALBUM AND MOVED HIS ENTIRE FAY OM SYDNEY TO LOS ANGEL. WHILE L.A. SPARRO GOT A START AS A CHILD ACTOR AND WAS FEATURED MCDONALD’S MERCIALS. SPARRO ALSO LENT HIS VOLS TO HIS FATHER’S ALBUMS AND WAS A MON BACK-UP SGER AT HIS DAD’S SHOWS. SPARRO RELEASED HIS BUT SGLE “COTTONMOUTH” 2007, BUT WAS HIS FOLLOW-UP SGLE “BLACK AND GOLD” THAT PEAKED THE CHARTS AND CREATED NUMERO VERS OM THE LIK OF WALE, ELLIE GOULDG, ALE, AND MORE. PRODUCERS MARK RONSON (AMY WEHOE) AND PL EPWORTH (FLORENCE + THE MACHE, BLOC PARTY) WORKED WH SPARRO ON HIS SELF-TLED BUT ALBUM, WHICH REACHED THE TOP 5 ON THE UK ALBUM CHARTS. OPENLY GAY, SPARRO HAS BEEN DUBBED A “GAY SUPERHERO.” HE CHOSE TO E OUT AT THE START OF HIS REER SO THAT, SPARRO’S WORDS, “GAY TEENAGERS DON'T HAVE TO GET THE SH KICKED OUT OF THEM SCHOOL AND THK THAT THEY'RE A HORRIBLE PERSON. IT'S EASIER TO BE AN 'OUT' POP STAR TODAY. MORRISSEY NEVER ME OUT, AND NEIL TENNANT LEFT VERY, VERY LATE, WHEREAS JAKE SHEARS WAS OPEN OM THE START." SPARRO IS CURRENTLY WORKG ON HIS SOPHOMORE ALBUM TO BE RELEASED {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}33. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BRISH SGER-SONGWRER, MIKA RELEASED HIS FIRST FULL-LENGTH STUD ALBUM LIFE CARTOON MOTN 2007, WHICH WENT ON TO SELL OVER 5.6 LN PI WORLDWI AND GARNERED HIM A GRAMMY NOMATN FOR BT DANCE RERDG FOR HIS H “LOVE TODAY.” HIS SGLE “GRACE KELLY” REACHED NUMBER ONE THE UK AND EARNED HIM THE PRTIG BRIT AWARD FOR BT BRISH BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST. TWO YEARS LATER MIKA’S SEND ALBUM THE BOY WHO KNEW TOO MUCH WAS RELEASED PRODUCG THE SGL “WE ARE GOLN” AND “BLAME ON THE GIRLS.” IN REGARDS TO MIKA’S SEXUALY, HE HAS OPENLY STATED TO GAY & NIGHT MAGAZE "I'VE NEVER EVER LABELED MYSELF. BUT HAVG SAID THAT; I'VE NEVER LIMED MY LIFE, I'VE NEVER LIMED WHO I SLEEP WH... CALL ME WHATEVER YOU WANT. CALL ME BISEXUAL, IF YOU NEED A TERM FOR ME.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}32. CASEY SPOONER (FISCHERSPOONER){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BORN ATHENS, GA CASEY SPOONER IS ONE HALF OF THE ELECTRO POP DUO FISCHERSPOONER. ASI OM LEADG ON VOLS, SPOONER IS A VIOGRAPHER AND THEATER PERFORMANCE ARTIST WHO MET WARREN FISCHER WHILE ATTENDG THE ART INSTUTE OF CHIGO 1998. TOGETHER THE TWO HAVE RELEASED THREE STUD ALBUMS AS FISCHERSPOONER CLUDG THE SUCCSFUL SGL “THE BT REVENGE” AND “JT LET GO.” IN JANUARY 2010 SPOONER RELEASED HIS FIRST SOLO SGLE “FAYE DUNAWAY” OFF HIS ALBUM ADULT CONTEMPORARY. HE CURRENTLY IS TOURG AS THE OPENG ACT FOR SCISSOR SISTERS’S NORTH AMERIN TOUR. OPENLY GAY, SPOONER’S FIRST ROMANTIC RELATNSHIP WAS WH R.E.M. SGER MICHAEL STIPE WHILE SPOONER WAS ATTENDG THE UNIVERSY OF GEIA. SPOONER RELISH THE IA OF BEG A POSIVE ROLE MOL FOR THE GAY MUNY, STATG: "IF I N BE AN SPIRATN TO PEOPLE WHO ARE CHOOSG TO GO DOWN A CHALLENGG, NONTRADNAL PATH--SEXUALLY, CREATIVELY, HOWEVER--THAT IS JT GREAT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}31. BOB {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FORMER ONT MAN FOR ALTERNATIVE ROCK BANDS HüSKER Dü AND SUGAR, BOB MOULD IS AN AMERIN GUARIST, VOLIST AND SONGWRER OM NEW YORK. WHILE LIVG MNEAPOLIS THE LATE 1970’S MOULD FORMED THE PUNK ROCK GROUP HüSKER Dü, A BAND THAT WENT ON TO BEE A KEY FLUENCER OF THE 90’S PUNK ROCK WAVE. IN THE LATE 1980’S HüSKER Dü BROKE UP AND MOULD WENT ON TO WRE HIS FIRST SOLO ALBUM. SURPRISGLY MOULD TOOK A TOUR OM THE LOUD PUNK-ROCK GUAR SOUND HE WAS KNOWN FOR AND CREATED A SOUND MORE SIAR TO THAT OF THE COUNTG CROWS OR G BLOSSOMS. IN THE MID-1990’S MOULD FORMED THE LLEGE/ALTERNATIVE RAD FAVORE BAND SUGAR THAT RELEASED TWO EPS BEFORE BREAKG UP. MOULD PRENTLY TOURS AS A SOLO ARTIST AND MUCH OF HIS WRG MATERIAL STEMS OM HIS EXPERIENCE SPENDG YEARS AS A CLOSETED GAY MAN THE ROCK MIC SCENE AND THE TURBULENT RELATNSHIPS OF HIS PAST. IN 2006 HE NTRIBUTED THE SONG “IF I CAN’T CHANGE YOUR MD” TO THE ALBUM WED-ROCK, AN ALBUM TO PROMOTE THE LEGALIZATN OF SAME-SEX {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}30. JONSI (SIGUR RóS){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JóN “JóNSI” ÞóR BIRGISSON IS THE LEAD VOLIST AND GUARIST FOR THE ICELANDIC ROCK BAND SIGUR RóS. KNOWN FOR HIS FALSETTO VOICE AND MA UP LANGUAGE “HOPELANDIC,” JONSI HAS CREATED SOME OF THE MOST BETIFUL EXPERIMENTAL DIE-ROCK MIC SCE RADHEAD. IN 1995 JONSI STARTED THE BAND BEE SPIRS, WHICH WAS LIKENED TO THE SMASHG PUMPKS. BY 1997 JóNSI HAD FORMED SIGUR RóS AND RELEASED THEIR BUT ALBUM VON. SIGUR RóS HAS SCE RELEASED FOUR ADDNAL STUD ALBUMS, THEIR MOST SUCCSFUL ENGLISH CROSSOVER ALBUM BEG MEð SUð í EYM VIð SPILUM ENDALST (MEANG “WH A BUZZ IN OUR EARS WE PLAY ENDLSLY”). IN 2010 THE GROUP ANNOUNCED AN “FE HIAT” AND JóNSI WENT ON TO RELEASE HIS FIRST SOLO ALBUM GO. HIS BOYIEND ALEX SOMERS HAS DONE MUCH OF THE GRAPHIC SIGN FOR SIGUR RóS OVER THE YEARS. THE TWO ALSO PERFORM TOGETHER THE GROUP JóNSI & ALEX AND RELEASED AN ALBUM: RICEBOY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}29. CHUCK PANOZZO (STYX){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS THE BASSIST AND -FOUNR (WH HIS LATE BROTHER AND TW, JOHN) OF THE ROCK BAND STYX, CHUCK PANOZZO HAS GIVEN MUCH TO THE WORLD OF MIC. FROM THE 70’S TO THE EARLY 80’S, STYX PRODUCED SUCH HS AS “LADY,” “COME SAIL AWAY,” “ANGRY YOUNG MAN” AND “RENEGA.” THEY HAVE BEEN TOGETHER ON AND OFF SCE THE EARLY 80’S, WH PANOZZO PARTICIPATG AS MUCH AS HE WAS ABLE. HE WAS DIAGNOSED AS HIV-POSIVE 1991, DOCTORS TELLG HIM THEY DID NOT KNOW HOW TO HELP HIM. IN 1998 HE MTED HIMSELF TO GETTG WELL AND HAS BEEN ON AN AGGRSIVE REGIMEN EVER SCE. AS HE SAYS ON HIS WEBSE, “I WANTED TO OUT MYSELF A MEANGFUL AND POSIVE WAY.” HE CHOSE TO ANNOUNCE TO THE WORLD THAT HE IS GAY AT A HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN DNER 2001. PANOZZO IS A STRONG SUPPORTER OF THE HRC AND IS VOLVED WH HIV/AIDS AWARENS ACTIVI. AS HE SAYS, “I WANT TO BE SURE LAWS ARE MA AND PROTECTED FOR ALL. THERE WILL BE NO SEND-CLASS CIZENS THIS SOCIETY.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}28. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ANTHONY CHARL WILLIAM III, BETTER KNOWN BY HIS STAGE NAME TONEX, IS A GRAMMY NOMATED GOSPEL SGER WHO HAS RELEASED AN IMPRSIVE 24 ALBUMS OVER THE SPAN OF HIS 14-YEAR REER. INFLUENCED BY THE LIK OF STEVIE WONR, PRCE, AND MICHAEL JACKSON, TONEX RERD HIS FIRST ALBUM AT THE MERE AGE OF 10. TONEX’S UNIQUE STYLE AND SOUND, WHICH HE LLS “NURE” - A BATN OF POP, ROCK, R&B, JAZZ, SOUL, URBAN DANCE, RAP, FUNK AND HIP HOP- GAED HIM NSIRABLE ATTENTN AMONG YOUNG GOSPEL MIC FANATICS. TONEX’S BUT NCERT PERFORMANCE AT THE 14TH ANNUAL STELLAR AWARDS, A GOSPEL MIC SHOWSE, WAS LIKENED TO THAT OF MICHAEL JACKSON’S PERFORMANCE OF THE MOONWALK. TONEX’S MOST SUCCSFUL ALBUM TO DATE IS THE GRAMMY NOMATED 2004 RELEASE OUT THE BOX WHICH HE LLABORATED WH KIRK FRANKL AND PRCE’S PERCSNIST SHEILA E. TONEX DIVORCED HIS WIFE OF 5 YEARS, YVETTE WILLIAMS, 2004 AND 2009, ON A POPULAR CHRISTIAN TELEVISN SHOW “THE LEXI SHOW,” TONEX ANNOUNCED THAT HE IS GAY. HE SOON SAW BACKLASH WH THE AIN AMERIN AND CHURCH MUNY AND REQUTS FOR HIM TO PERFORM SUDNLY STOPPED. THAT DIDN’T SLOW HIM DOWN THOUGH. AS A PASTOR, TONEX PRENTLY TRAVELS SPREADG A MSAGE OF ACCEPTANCE THE CHURCH AND HAS BEEN A HUGE SPIRATN FOR MANY GAY AIN AMERIN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}27. ANTONY HEGARTY (ANTONY & THE JOHNSONS){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ENGLISH-BORN SGER/SONGWRER, POSER AND VISUAL ARTIST, ANTONY HEGARTY IS BT KNOWN FOR HIS ANDROGYNO VOICE AS THE LEAD SGER OF THE BAND ANTONY & THE JOHNSONS. IN 1996 HEGARTY UTILIZED LLEGE GRANT MONEY TO SOLIC MICIANS TO RERD SOME OF HIS SONGS; TH BEGAN ANTONY & THE JOHNSONS. BY 2005 THE GROUP WAS PERFORMG REGULARLY AROUND NEW YORK CY AND SOLICED THE LIK OF BOY GEE, RUF WAWRIGHT AND LOU REED TO LLABORATE ON THEIR ALBUM I AM A BIRD NOW. THE ALBUM RECEIVED NSIRABLE PRAISE AND GARNERED ANTONY UK’S MOST PRTIG AWARD - THE MERCURY PRIZE. WH LYRICS LIKE “ONE DAY I’LL GROW UP AND BE A BETIFUL WOMAN,” ANTONY HAS NEVER MASKED HIS SEXUAL INTY, AND NSIRS BOY GEE AND MARC ALMOND TWO OF HIS GREATT IDOLS. ANTONY’S FOLLOW-UP ALBUM THE CRYG LIGHT PEAKED NO. 1 ON THE EUROPEAN BILLBOARD CHARTS. IN 2008, ANTONY LEANT HIS VOLS TO A SI PROJECT ENTLED HERCUL AND LOVE AFFAIR. THEIR TRACK “BLD” RANKED NO. 2 ON ENTERTAMENT WEEKLY’S “10 BT SGL OF 2008.” ANTONY’S FAME IS STILL GROWG AND AS A RELATIVELY NEW ARTIST, HE HAS QUE A FAN BOY GEE. GEE ONCE STATED HE ENVISNS ANTONY “OUTSTRIPPG NORAH JON AND SELLG LNS OF RERDS IF ANYONE HAD THE BALLS TO GIVE HIM A HUGE RERD NTRACT.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}26. CLAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AMERIN SGER/SONGWRER, ACTOR, PRODUCER AND THOR CLAY AIKEN ROSE TO FAME ON THE SEND SEASON OF AMERIN IDOL 2003 AS NNER-UP TO RUBEN STUDDARD. RCA RERDS OFFERED HIM A RERDG NTRACT AND HIS MULTI-PLATUM BUT ALBUM MEASURE OF A MAN WAS RELEASED OCTOBER 2003. SCE THEN AIKEN HAS RELEASED FOUR MORE ALBUMS ON THE RCA LABEL AND LNCHED NE TOURS, THORED A NEW YORK TIM BT-SELLG BOOK LEARNG TO SG: HEARG THE MIC YOUR LIFE, CREATED THE NATNAL INCLN PROJECT FOR CHILDREN WH DISABILI, BEME A UNICEF AMBASSADOR 2004, AND WAS APPOTED FOR A TWO-YEAR TERM TO THE PRINTIAL COMMTEE FOR PEOPLE WH INTELLECTUAL DISABILI. AIKEN MA HIS BROADWAY BUT PLAYG SIR ROB ON MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT. ON AUGT 8TH 2008 AIKEN ANNOUNCED THE BIRTH OF HIS SON PARKER FOSTER AIKEN, TO MOTHER JAM FOSTER, SISTER OF AIKEN’S RERD PRODUCER DAVID FOSTER. IN A SEPTEMBER 2008 ISSUE OF PEOPLE MAGAZE, AFTER YEARS OF SPECULATN, AIKEN REVEALED HE IS GAY. SCE THEN AIKEN HAS PARTICIPATED THE BROADWAY CAR/EQUY FIGHTS AIDS MPAIGN, SPOKEN AT THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN DNER NORTH CAROLA, AND PARTICIPATED CYNDI LPER’S “GIVE A DAMN CAMPAIGN.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}25. KELE OKEREKE (BLOC PARTY){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BRISH MICIAN KELE OKEREKE IS BT KNOWN AS THE LEAD SGER AND GUARIST FOR THE ALT ROCK BAND BLOC PARTY. IN 2005 BLOC PARTY RELEASED THEIR FIRST STUD ALBUM SILENT ALARM WH THE SGL “PNEER” “BANQUET” AND “HELIPTER.” PRODUCED BY PL EPWORTH (FLORENCE + THE MACHE, CEE-LO GREEN, KATE NASH), SILENT ALARM REACHED NO. 3 THE UK CHARTS AND ROCKETED THE BAND TO FAME. THEIR FOLLOW-UP ALBUM A WEEKEND THE CY WENT ON TO REACH THE NO. 2 SPOT THE OFFICIAL UK CHART, AND THE FIRST SGLE “THE PRAYER” REACHED NO. 4 ON THE UK SGL CHART, THE GROUP’S HIGHT PLACG TO DATE. IN 2010 OKEREKE RELEASED HIS FIRST SOLO ALBUM BOXER PRODUCED BY XXXCHANGE WH THE LEAD TRACK TLED “TENRONI.” WHILE GEARG UP FOR HIS SOLO BUT, OKEREKE FALLY ME OUT A MARCH 2010 TERVIEW WH BUTT MAGAZE, A SUBJECT HE A HAD LONG AVOID, STATG: "MY PARENTS ARE SUPER-CATHOLIC AND THEY E OM A CULTURE NIGERIA WHERE THERE WEREN’T ANY VISIBLE GAY PEOPLE WHO WERE OUT AND WERE HAPPY. I LEFT HOME WHEN I WAS 20. MY PARENTS THREW ME OUT [FOR BEG GAY]. WHICH I KNEW THEY WOULD. WE DIDN'T SPEAK FOR LIKE A WEEK. ... MY PARENTS ARE GETTG OLR AND I DIDN’T LIKE THE IA THAT THEY ULD POSSIBLY DIE WHOUT KNOWG SOMETHG THAT IS A BIG PART OF MY LIFE. IT’S NOT EASY. ... WE'VE BEEN TALKG ABOUT ."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}24. DARREN HAY (SAVAGE GARN){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}UK-BASED ATRALIAN SGER-SONGWRER, DARREN HAY WAS THE LEAD SGER AND MEDIA ONT MAN FOR POP DUO SAVAGE GARN, WHOSE 1997 ALBUM SAVAGE GARN WAS NO. 3 THE UNED STAT AND PRODUCED THE HS “TLY, MADLY, DEEPLY” AND “I WANT YOU.” SAVAGE GARN STAYED TOGETHER FOR ONLY TWO ALBUMS AND RELEASED THE US NO. 1 H “I KNEW I LOVED YOU” BEFORE HAY WENT OUT ON HIS OWN, CHANGG HIS SOUND OM SOFT POP-ROCK TO A MORE ELECTRONIC DARKER SOUND. HE HAS THREE SOLO ALBUMS UNR HIS BELT AND ANOTHER N BE EXPECTED 2011, PRODUCED BY LADY GAGA’S MIXER ROBERT ORTON. INCLUDG HIS WORK WH SAVAGE GARN, HAY HAS SOLD OVER 25 LN ALBUMS WORLDWI. ALTHOUGH HAY WAS MARRIED FOR SIX YEARS TO HIS CHILDHOOD SWEETHEART, MAKP ARTIST COLBY TAYLOR, THEY DIVORCED 2000 AND HE BEGAN G OUT TO HIS IENDS AND HIS LABEL THE EARLY 2000’S. IN 2006, HE MARRIED HIS BOYIEND OF TWO YEARS, RICHARD CULLEN, A CIVIL CEREMONY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}23. MARC ALMOND (SOFT CELL){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MARC ALMOND ROSE TO FAME THE EARLY 1980S AS ONE HALF OF THE ENGLISH NEW WAVE DUO SOFT CELL. THEIR SLOWED-DOWN, SYNTHIZED VERSN OF GLORIA JON’ “TATED LOVE” WAS A NO. 1 H 17 UNTRI AND SPENT A RERD-BREAKG 43 WEEKS ON THE US HOT 100 CHARTS. THE TRACK ONCE AGA FOUND SELF ON THE CHARTS, WHEN 2006, RIHANNA SAMPLED ON HER NO. 1 H “SOS.” IN 1984 SOFT CELL SPL AMIBLY TO FOC ON SOLO EFFORTS AND ALMOND WENT ON TO RELEASE NUMERO SOLO ALBUMS. IN 1999, ALMOND RELEASED HIS TOBGRAPHY, TATED LIFE, WHICH HE OFFICIALLY ME OUT. SOFT CELL RNED 2002 AND PERFORMED A STRG OF NCERTS. 2010 MARKS ALMOND’S 30TH YEAR MIC AND HE IS GEARG UP FOR A NEW ALBUM AND GLOBAL TOUR. ALONG WH HIS TIME SOFT CELL, ALMOND HAS SOLD OVER 30 LN RERDS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}22. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}KNOWN AROUND THE WORLD AS THE “QUEEN OF DIS,” SYLVTER WAS AN AMERIN DIS SGER WHO ROSE TO TERNATNAL FAME THE LATE 1970’S WH HS SUCH AS “YOU MAKE ME FEEL (MIGHTY REAL),” “DANCE (DIS HEAT),” AND “DO YOU WANNA FUNK.” KNOWN FOR HIS FALSETTO VOICE AND HIS EXOTIC STUM, SYLVTER GOT HIS START AS A DRAG PERFORMER THE SAN FRANCIS NIGHTLIFE SCENE. HIS SOPHOMORE ALBUM PRODUCED THE HS “DANCE (DIS HEAT)” AND “YOU MAKE ME FEEL (MIGHTY REAL),” BOTH OF WHICH LED THE AMERIN DANCE CHARTS FOR 6 WEEKS. IN 1979, HARVEY MILK VED SYLVTER TO PERFORM “YOU MAKE ME FEEL (MIGHTY REAL)” AT SAN FRANCIS’S CASTRO STREET FAIR AND 2004, HIS SAME H WAS DUCTED TO THE DANCE MIC HALL OF FAME. AS A RULT OF SYLVTER’S EVER-GROWG FAME, HIS LABEL BEGAN TO PRSURE HIM TO “BUTCH UP” HIS IMAGE - FIANCE SYLVTER BEGAN SHOWG UP TO LABEL MEETGS FULL-DRAG. TRAGILLY, DECEMBER 1988, AT THE AGE OF 41, SYLVTER DIED OM PLITNS DUE TO AIDS. HE STATED THE YEAR PRR TO HIS ATH: “I DON’T BELIEVE AIDS IS THE WRATH OF GOD. PEOPLE HAVE A TENNCY TO BLAME EVERYTHG ON GOD.” IN 2005, SYLVTER WAS DUCTED TO THE DANCE MIC HALL OF FAME FOR HIS ACHIEVEMENTS AS AN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}21. HOLLY JOHNSON (FRANKIE GO TO HOLLYWOOD){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FRANKIE GO TO HOLLYWOOD WERE A BRISH DANCE-POP BAND POPULAR THE MID 1980’S MOST NOTABLE FOR THEIR BUT SGLE “RELAX (TAKE IT EASY)” WHICH SPENT FIVE NSECUTIVE WEEKS AT THE TOP OF THE UK SGL CHART AND BEME THE 7TH BT SELLG UK SGLE OF ALL TIME. THEIR FOLLOW-UP HS “TWO TRIB” AND “THE POWER OF LOVE” ALSO CLIMBED THE UK CHARTS TO NO. 1, MAKG FGTH THE SEND ACT UK HISTORY TO HAVE THEIR FIRST THREE SGL REACH NO. 1. HOLLY JOHNSON LED ON VOLS AND WAS AT ONE TIME MORED TO BE DATG BACK UP VOLIST PL RUTHERFORD. AFTER SPLTG OM FGTH, JOHNSON WENT ON TO PURSUE A SOLO REER AND RELEASED HIS PLATUM SELLG NUMBER ONE ALBUM BLAST THAT SPAWNED FOUR H SGL. IN 1991 JOHNSON LEARNED HE WAS HIV-POSIVE AND 1994 RELEASED HIS CRILLY ACCLAIMED TOBGRAPHY, A BONE MY FLUTE. HE IS CURRENTLY WORKG ON NEW {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}20. ROB HALFORD (JUDAS PREIST){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHO SAYS A GAY MAN N’T WEAR LEATHER AND SCREAM HEAVY METAL VOLS? OBVLY SOMEONE WHO HAS NEVER HEARD OF ROB HALFORD. WHETHER AS THE LEAD SGER OF GRAMMY-AWARD WNG ROCK BAND JUDAS PRIT, OR HIS OWN BAND, HALFORD, HIS FOUR-OCTAVE RANGE AND THE STRENGTH OF HIS VOICE GAVE RISE TO HIS MONIKER “METAL GOD.” CONSIRED ONE OF THE MOST NSISTENTLY POWERFUL SGERS ROCK, HALFORD HAS GIVEN SUCH HS AS “HEADG OUT TO THE HIGHWAY” AND “YOU’VE GOT ANOTHER THG COMG.” AS HE STTS ACROSS THE STAGE, BALD HEAD GLEAMG AND TATTOOS STARK AGAST HIS SK, HE OWNS EVERY MUTE AND EVERY FAN THAT WATCH. ALTHOUGH HE’S BEEN A PART OF THE MIC SCENE SCE THE 70’S, HE DIDN’T E OUT UNTIL 1998 AN MTV TERVIEW, WHICH HE SAID, “I THK THAT MOST PEOPLE KNOW THAT I’VE BEEN A GAY MAN ALL OF MY LIFE, AND ’S ONLY BEEN RECENT TIM ’S AN ISSUE I FEEL FORTABLE TO ADDRS… AND THIS IS THE MOMENT TO DISCS .”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}19. MARK FEEHILY (WTLIFE){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS A MEMBER OF IRISH POP GROUP WTLIFE, MARK FEEHILY IS DISTGUISHED FOR HIS RICH, SOULFUL VOICE, WHICH N BE HEARD ON EVERY SONG. HE SHAR THE ROLE OF LEAD VOLIST ALONGSI SHANE FILAN. WTLIFE IS THE ONLY GROUP BRISH OR IRISH HISTORY TO HAVE THEIR FIRST SEVEN SGL GO STRAIGHT TO NO. 1, AND THEY HAVE SOLD OVER 44 LN RERDS WORLDWI. ORIGALLY SIGNED BY SIMON COWELL 1998, WTLIFE ARE THE 2ND BIGGT SELLG ARTIST THE UK (BEHD ROBBIE WILLIAMS) AND “BIGGT SELLG BAND OF THE ” (BEATG COLDPLAY) WH 11 LN ALBUM SAL OM 2000-2010. IN 2005 FEEHILY ME OUT TO THE BRISH TABLOID THE SUN, ANNOUNCG HE HAD BEEN A LONG-TERM RELATNSHIP WH KEV MCDAID, A MEMBER OF THE BRISH BOY BAND V. IN THE TERVIEW, FEEHILY SAID, “MY LIFE HAS GOT UMPTEEN TIM BETTER… I FEEL SO MUCH HAPPIER AND AT EASE. IT’S THE BT THG I’VE EVER DONE.” FEEHILY AND MCDAID HAVE BEEN DATG SCE 2005 AND ON JANUARY 28, 2010 THE TWO GOT ENGAGED. FEEHILY TOLD THE SYDNEY MORNG HERALD: “THROUGH THE YEARS OF GETTG TO THE POT WHERE I WANTED TO E OUT, I HAD TO GO THROUGH EVERY KD OF EMOTN, BUT I N HONTLY SAY THAT THE DAY BEFORE I ME OUT, I DIDN’T RE WHAT THE REACTN WAS GOG TO BE. THAT WAS THE HARST POT TO GET TO.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}18. STEPHEN GATELY (BOYZONE){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 1993 IRISH NATIVE STEPHEN GATELY JOED THE BOY BAND BOYZONE AS ONE OF TWO LEAD VOLISTS. BOYZONE WENT ON TO PRODUCE FOUR STUD ALBUMS, ALL OF WHICH H NO. 1 THE UNED KGDOM. WH BOYZONE, GATELY HAD A RERD-BREAKG 16 NSECUTIVE SGL ENTER THE UK’S TOP FIVE SGL CHART. IN A 1999 TERVIEW WH THE SUN MAGAZEGATELY BEME THE FIRST BOYBAND MEMBER EVER TO PUBLICLY E OUT. IN 2000, AFTER THE BAND’S IAL BREAKUP, GATELY RELEASED A SOLO ALBUM, WHICH PRODUCED THREE UK H SGL CLUDG “NEW BEGNG.” IN 2003, WHILE VATNG LAS VEGAS, GATELY WED LONGTIME BOYIEND ANDREW COWL. WHEN THEY RETURNED TO THE UK THE TWO LEGALIZED THEIR RELATNSHIP WH A CIVIL PARTNERSHIP HELD LONDON. IN 2008 BOYZONE REGROUPED. IN THEIR FAL MIC VIO GATELY PLAYED THE ROLE OF A GAY UPLE, ANOTHER FIRST FOR A BOYBAND. TRAGILLY ON OCTOBER 10, 2009 MAJOR, SPA, AT AN APARTMENT HE OWNED WH HIS PARTNER COWL, GATELY WAS DISVERED AD DUE TO AN UNDIAGNOSED HEART {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}17. RUF {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CANADIAN-AMERIN SGER/SONGWRER RUF WAWRIGHT WAS BORN TO AN EXTREMELY TALENTED FAY. HIS PARENTS ARE FOLK SGER KATE MCGARRIGLE AND ACTOR LOUDON WAWRIGHT III AND HIS SISTER IS THE FOLK-ROCK SGER/SONGWRER MARTHA WAWRIGHT. AT AN EARLY AGE RUF VELOPED A LOVE FOR OPERA AND A PROCLIVY FOR SONGWRG. HE LEARNED TO PLAY BOTH THE PIANO AND GUAR AND VELOPED HIS OWN MIL STYLE LLED “POPERA” OR “BAROQUE POP.” IN 1998 WAWRIGHT RELEASED HIS FIRST STUD ALBUM, RUF WAWRIGHT, WHICH RECEIVED CRIL ACCLAIM. ROLLG STONE MAGAZE REGNIZED AS ONE OF THE BT ALBUMS OF THE YEAR AND NAMED THE SGER THE “BT NEW ARTIST” OF 1998. HIS FOLLOW UP 2001 RELEASE POS EARNED WAWRIGHT HIS SEND GLAAD MEDIA AWARD FOR OUTSTANDG MIC ALBUM AND A JUNO AWARD FOR BT ALTERNATIVE ALBUM. IN JUNE 2007, WAWRIGHT PARTICIPATED THE LOGO SPONSORED, MULTI-ARTIST TE COLORS TOUR, ALONGSI CYNDI LPER, THE INDIGO GIRLS, ERASURE AND OTHERS. IN 2007, WAWRIGHT PERFORMED AT CARNEGIE HALL THE ENTIRE JUDY GARLAND NCERT GARLAND FAMOLY PERFORMED THERE 1961. THE ALBUM FOR THE NCERT, APTLY TLED RUF DO JUDY AT CARNEGIE HALL, WAS NOMATED FOR A 2009 GRAMMY AWARD FOR BT TRADNAL POP VOL ALBUM. WAWRIGHT IS ONE OF THE FIRST ARTISTS TO BEG HIS REER OPENLY GAY. HE ME OUT TO HIS FAY AS A TEENAGER, WHO HE SAYS DID NOT TAKE SO WELL TO THE NEWS IALLY, “MOTHER AND FATHER ULD NOT HANDLE ME BEG GAY. WE NEVER TALKED ABOUT REALLY.” IN JANUARY 2010 WAWRIGHT’S MOTHER SADLY LOST HER BATTLE TO NCER. IN APRIL 2010, WAWRIGHT PUBLICLY VOICED HIS OPN FAVOR OF LEGALIZG SAME-SEX MARRIAGE THE UNED STAT DUE TO HIS SIRE TO MARRY HIS PARTNER OF FIVE YEARS, GERMAN ARTS ADMISTRATOR JöRN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}16. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}RUPL ANDRE CHARL, BT KNOWN BY HIS DRAG NAME RUPL, IS AN AMERIN ACTOR, MOL AND SGER/SONGWRER WHO ROSE TO FAME THE 1990S APPEARG ON NUMERO TELEVISN PROGRAMS, FILMS AND ALBUMS. AS A PNEER FOR DRAG PERFORMANCE ARTISTS, RUPL OPENED MDS AND GENERATED DISCSNS ON THE TABOO SUBJECT OF CROSSDRSG AND TRANSEXUALY. RUPL GOT HIS START THE EARLY 90’S WORKG THE ATLANTA AND NEW YORK CLUB SCEN. IN 1993 RUPL RERD THE DANCE/HOE H “SUPERMOL (YOU BETTER WORK)” WHICH AMIDST THE AGE OF NIRVANA AND SMASHG PUMPKS WAS AN UNEXPECTED SUCCS ON MTV. THE SONG PEAKED AT NO. 2 ON BILLBOARD’S U.S. DANCE CHARTS AND HIS FOLLOW UP SGL “BACK TO MY ROOTS” AND “DON’T GO BREAKG MY HEART,” A DUET WH ELTON JOHN, WENT ON TO LE THE DANCE AND SGL CHARTS. IN 1996 RUPL HOSTED HIS OWN SHOW ON VH1 LLED THE RUPL SHOW WHERE HE TERVIEWED CELEBRI AND MIL ACTS. HE HAS SCE RELEASED 7 STUD ALBUMS, MOST RECENTLY THE 2008 ALBUM CHAMPN THAT FEATUR THE ANTHEMS “COVER GIRL” AND “JEALO OF MY BOOGIE” FEATURED ON HIS LOGO REALY PETN SHOW RUPL’S DRAG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}15. WILL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BEFORE THE REERS OF KELLY CLARKSON, CARRIE UNRWOOD, OR ADAM LAMBERT TOOK OFF, THERE WAS WILL YOUNG. IN FEBARY 2002, YOUNG ROSE TO FAME AS THE WNER OF THE BRISH TELEVISN TALENT NTT POP IDOL, MAKG HIM THE FIRST WNER EVER OF THE NOW WORLDWI IDOL ANCHISE. YOUNG’S FIRST POST-IDOL SGLE WAS A VER OF WTLIFE’S “EVERGREEN,” WHICH WENT ON TO BEE ONE OF THE FASTT SELLG SGL UK HISTORY AND ONE OF THE BIGGT SELLG SGL OF THE 2000S, WH OVER 1.8 LN PI SOLD. IN MARCH 2002, RIGHT AT THE BEGNG OF YOUNG’S REER, HE PUBLICLY ME OUT TO NEWS OF THE WORLD STATG, “I FEEL ’S TIME TO TELL MY FANS I’M GAY… FOR ME ’S NORMAL AND NOTHG TO BE ASHAMED ABOUT. I’M GAY AND I’M FORTABLE WH THAT. I REALLY DON’T KNOW WHAT THE FS IS ABOUT.” YOUNG BEME ONE OF THE FIRST POP ARTISTS TO BEG HIS REER OUT OF THE CLOSET, AND HIS OPENNS ABOUT HIS SEXUALY PROVED NOT TO E ANY RIPPL WHATSOEVER. IN 2003, YOUNG WON HIS FIRST BRIT AWARD AS BT BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST FOR THE RELEASE OF HIS BUT ALBUM FROM NOW ON. YOUNG’S SEND ALBUM FRIDAY’S CHILD PRODUCED THE H “YOUR GAME” WHICH EARNED HIM HIS SEND BRIT AWARD 2005. YOUNG HAS SCE TABLISHED HIMSELF AS FAR MORE THAN ANOTHER REALY TELEVISN SHOW WNER, SELLG OVER EIGHT LN RERDS OM HIS FOUR MULTI-PLATUM STUD ALBUMS, WH FOUR NUMBER ONE SGL, AND TWICE VOTED AS THE U.K.’S FAVORE ARTIST OF ALL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}14. THE MEN OF SCISSOR SISTERS (JAKE SHEARS, BABYDADDY & DEL MARQUIS){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 2000, JAKE SHEARS MET STT “BABYDADDY” HOFFMAN WHILE SHEARS WAS VISG A MUTUAL IEND KENTUCKY. THE TWO H OFF AND SOON MOVED TO NEW YORK CY WHERE THE OPENLY GAY DUO BEME THE FIRST MEMBERS OF THE AMERIN GLAM-ROCK BAND SCISSOR SISTERS. AT THE TIME, THE BAND PERFORMED AT UNRGROUND CLUBS BROOKLYN AND THE LOWER EAST SI, WH A BATN OF BABYDADDY’S MIL POSN AND SHEARS’ VOLS. SHEARS MET DEREK “DEL MARQUIS” GEN WHILE THE TWO WORKED AT THE IC GUYS CLUB, WHERE SHEARS WAS STRIPPG. DEL MARQUIS JOED THE GROUP AS LEAD GUARIST. THE BAND FIRST GARNERED ATTENTN WH THE RELEASE OF THEIR VER OF PK FLOYD’S “COMFORTABLY NUMB”, WHICH REACHED NO. 10 ON THE UK SGL CHARTS. THEIR BUT ALBUM SCISSOR SISTERS BEME THE BT SELLG ALBUM OF 2004 THE UK. ON THEIR SEND STUD ALBUM TAH DAH, ONE OF THE BAND’S DREAMS WAS FULFILLED - SIR ELTON JOHN LLABORATED AS PIANIST AND -WRER FOR THEIR H “I DON’T FEEL LIKE DANC’,” WHICH REACHED NO. 1 ON THE UK, ATRALIAN AND EUROPEAN CHARTS, AND BEME THE BAND’S BIGGT H TO DATE. IN JUNE 2010, SCISSOR SISTERS RELEASED THEIR THIRD AND LATT ALBUM NIGHT WORK WHICH TOOK A SHIFT TOWARDS A MORE CLUB-ORIENTED SOUND. IN 2004, SHEARS, BABYDADDY, AND DEL MARQUIS WERE HONORED ON OUT MAGAZE’S ANNUAL LIST OF THE 100 MOST INTRIGUG GAY PEOPLE OF THE YEAR. SHEARS AND BABYDADDY -WROTE AND PRODUCED KYLIE MOGUE’S POPULAR H “I BELIEVE IN YOU.” WHILE SHEARS HAS GARNERED THE MOST AMOUNT OF ATTENTN THE BAND WH A STRG OF GAY MAGAZE VERS CLUDG OUT, THE ADVOTE, ATTU, BUTT, AND TêTU, IS BABYDADDY WHO HAS ADVERTENTLY BEE A SEX SYMBOL WH BEAR ADMIRERS. HE ACKNOWLEDGED THIS STAT STATG, “JAKE GETS A LOT OF ATTENTN JT BY VIRTUE OF BEG THE LEAD SGER, BUT WHEN BOYS WANT A LTLE BEEF, THEY E TO ME.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}13. LANCE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS THE BASS SGER FOR ‘N SYNC, LANCE BASS WAS A PART OF THE BOY BAND CRAZE OF THE LATE 90’S AND EARLY 2000’S. FOR FIVE YEARS, BASS AND ‘N SYNC RO THE WAVE WH HS LIKE “I WANT YOU BACK,” “BYE BYE BYE” AND “NO STRGS ATTACHED” UNTIL 2002 WHEN THEY ANNOUNCED A “HIAT” WHILE FELLOW ‘N SYNC MEMBERS JT TIMBERLAKE AND JC CHASEZ WENT OUT TO WORK ON SOLO REERS. ALTHOUGH ‘N SYNC HAS NEVER RNED, BASS HAS WORKED AS AN ACTOR FILMS SUCH AS I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU CHUCK AND LARRY AND ZOOLANR, AND HAS APPEARED ON TELEVISN SUCH AS SEASON 7 OF DANCG WH THE STARS. BASS ME OUT PUBLICLY ON THE VER OF PEOPLE MAGAZE JULY 2006 AFTER MONTHS OF SPECULATN OM CELEBRY BLOG S POSTG EMS ABOUT BASS’S ORIENTATN SCE SEPTEMBER 2005. BASS STATED TO PEOPLE “THE THG IS, I’M NOT ASHAMED – THAT’S THE ONE THG I WANT TO SAY. I DON’T THK ’S WRONG, I’M NOT VASTATED GOG THROUGH THIS. I’M MORE LIBERATED AND HAPPY THAN I’VE BEEN MY WHOLE LIFE. I’M JT HAPPY.” THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN AWARD BASS WH THE VISIBILY AWARD OCT 2006 STATG “BASS IS THE BIGGT MIC STAR SCE MELISSA ETHERIDGE TO E OUT.” BASS HAS BEEN ACTIVE THE LGBT MUNY EVER SCE, SUPPORTG MARRIAGE EQUALY AND TOLERANCE, FUNDRAISG FOR THE GAY, LBIAN AND STRAIGHT EDUTN WORK, AND PUBLISHG HIS TOBGRAPHY OUT OF {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}12. JIMMY SOMERVILLE (BRONSKI BEAT){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}POPULAR BRISH SYNTHPOP TR, BRONSKI BEAT, ACHIEVED WISPREAD SUCCS THE MID 1980S FOR THEIR H “SMALLTOWN BOY,” WHICH TOLD THE TALE OF A BOY WHOSE FAY ST HIM AWAY FOR BEG GAY. “SMALLTOWN BOY” PEAKED AT NO. 3 THE UK SGL CHART AND THE MIC VIO FOR THE SONG SHOWED LEAD SGER JIMMY SOMERVILLE EAGERLY TRYG TO MAKE IENDS A SWIMMG POOL, THEN BEG ATTACKED BY AN ANTI-GAY GANG, BEG BROUGHT HOME TO HIS FAY BY THE POLICE AND ULTIMATELY GETTG KICKED OUT OF HIS HOME FOR BEG GAY. INCLUDG SOMERVILLE, THE OTHER MEMBERS OF BRONSKI BEAT, STEVE BRONSKI AND LARRY STEBACHAEK, WERE ALL OPENLY GAY, AND THEIR SONGS OFTEN REFLECTED THIS, NTAG POLIL MENTARY ABOUT GAY ISSU. ALTHOUGH MANY OTHER GROUPS AT THIS TIME HAD AN OPENLY GAY MEMBER, BRONSKI BEAT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST TO ADDRS THE REAL ISSU AND STGGL OF THE GAY MUNY. SOMERVILLE LEFT BRONSKI BEAT 1985 AND WENT ON TO HAVE SUCCS AS THE LEAD SGER OF THE COMMUNARDS AND ALSO AS A SOLO ARTIST. THE GROUP DID A RNN NCERT 1987 FOR INTERNATNAL AIDS DAY. IN 1999, SOMERVILLE PERFORMED ALONGSI BOY GEE, GEE MICHAEL AND ELTON JOHN AT THE STONEWALL “EQUALY SHOW” LONDON. SOMERVILLE’S HONTY AS AN OPENLY GAY SGER AND PERFORMER NEVER HURT HIS ALBUM SAL, AND HE HELPED PAVE THE WAY FOR MANY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}11. ANDY BELL (ERASURE){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 1985 ANDY BELL BEME THE LEAD SGER OF ENGLISH SYNTH-POP DUO ERASURE WHEN HE RPOND TO A NEWSPAPER ADVERTISEMENT BY LYRICIST/KEYBOARDIST AND FOUNDG MEMBER OF DEPECHE MO, VCE CLARKE. CLARKE HAD RECENTLY PARTED OM DEPECHE MO AND WAS LOOKG FOR A VOLIST FOR A NEW PROJECT. INIALLY THE BAND STGGLED TO FD SUCCS, BUT WAS THEIR FOURTH SGLE “SOMETIM” THAT BROUGHT THEM MAJOR REGNN THE UK AND OM 1986 TO 2007, ERASURE ACHIEVED 34 TOP 40 HS THE UK. THEIR SGL “A LTLE RPECT,” “CHAS OF LOVE,” AND “ALWAYS” WERE MAJOR HS THE USA. TO DATE THE BAND HAS SOLD OVER 25 LN ALBUMS WORLDWI. IN DECEMBER 2004, BELL PUBLICLY ANNOUNCED THAT HE IS HIV-POSIVE, SOMETHG HE SAID HE HAS KNOWN SCE JUNE 1998 WHEN HE ME DOWN WH A SE OF PNMONIA. HE HAS SCE TAKEN PART NUMERO CHARY RERDGS TO FUND MONEY FOR AIDS AND HIV TN AND REARCH. IN 2005 BELL RELEASED HIS FIRST SOLO ALBUM ELECTRIC BLUE LLABORATG WH JAKE SHEARS OF SCISSOR SISTERS. BELL PARTICIPATED BOTH THE 2007 AND 2008 TE COLORS TOURS. IN JUNE 2010, BELL RELEASED HIS SEND SOLO ALBUM, NON-STOP. BELL HAS BEEN TOGETHER WH HIS PARTNER PL HICKEY FOR OVER 20 {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}10. ADAM {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}GIFTED WH A MULTI-OCTAVE RANGE, CLASSIL GOOD LOOKS AND A PENCHANT FOR EYELER AND NAIL POLISH, ADAM LAMBERT BURST TO THE PUBLIC’S EYE ON SEASON EIGHT OF AMERIN IDOL. ALTHOUGH HE WORKED SEVERAL THEATER PRODUCTNS, CLUDG WICKED AND THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, WAS A ONT MAN FOR THE BAND THE CIZEN VE AND PERFORMED AT THE UPRIGHT CABARET AND THE ZODIAC SHOW, HE DIDN’T ACTUALLY ACQUIRE A FAN-BASE UNTIL HE PETED ON THE POPULAR REALY PETN. EARLY ON DURG HIS TIME ON AMERIN IDOL, PICTUR OF HIM AND HIS EX-BOYIEND KISSG WERE RELEASED ON THE INTER. LAMBERT NEHER NFIRMED NOR NIED HIS SEXUALY, CHOOSG STEAD TO SIMPLY CLARE, “I HAVE NOTHG TO HI….I AM WHO I AM.” AFTER FISHG AS THE NNER-UP ON IDOL, ADAM STATED PUBLICLY TO ROLLG STONE MAGAZE THAT, “ SHOULD E AS NO SURPRISE THAT I AM GAY.” HE IS THE FIRST OPENLY GAY MASTREAM POP ARTIST TO LNCH HIS REER ON A MAJOR LABEL. HIS ALBUM, “FOR YOUR ENTERTAMENT” BUTED ON THE BILLBOARD 200 AT NO. 3, AND HS SUCH AS “WHATAYA WANT FROM ME” AND “IF I HAD YOU” HAVE BEEN THE TOP 20 THE USA AND NO. 1 UNTRI AROUND THE WORLD. AFTER AN ALMOST PLETELY SOLD-OUT HEADLG TOUR OF THE UNED STAT, HE VAD ATRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, JAPAN, MALAYSIA, THE PHILIPP AND MANY OTHER TERNATNAL CI BEFORE HEADG TO EUROPE. EXPECT A FOLLOW-UP ALBUM 2011 AND ANOTHER WORLD TOUR. LAMBERT’S STAR HAS JT STARTED TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}9. RICKY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PUERTO RIN POP SGER RICKY MART GOT HIS START AT THE YOUNG AGE OF 13 AS A MEMBER OF THE LAT BOY BAND MENUDO. AFTER THE SUCCS OF MENUDO, MART WENT SOLO RELEASG HIS SELF-TLED SPANISH-LANGUAGE BUT ALBUM RICKY MART 1991. IN 1994 MART MOVED TO LOS ANGEL AND LAND A ROLE ON THE SOAP OPERA GENERAL HOSPAL AS BARTENR AND SGER MIGUEL MOREZ. AT THIS TIME MART NTUED TO FOC ON HIS MIC AND RELEASED A THIRD AND HIGHLY SUCCSFUL ALBUM ENTLED A MED VIVIR WH THE TRACK “MARIA” CHARTG WORLDWI. AFTER SEVERAL YEARS AS A MAJOR TERNATNAL STAR MALY SPANISH-SPEAKG UNTRI, MART CID TO TAKE ON THE ONE PLACE WHERE HE STILL HAD LIMED REGNN - THE UNED STAT. AT THE 1999 GRAMMY AWARDS, MART PERFORMED A SGLE OFF HIS FIRST ENGLISH ALBUM, SELF-TLED RICKY MART, WHICH SOON HAD THE WHOLE WORLD SGG “LIV’ LA VIDA LO.” TO DATE MART HAS SOLD OVER 60 LN ALBUMS WORLDWI. AFTER YEARS OF PUBLIC CURSY ABOUT MART’S SEXUALY, HE PUBLICLY ME OUT OVER TWTER ON MARCH 29, 2010 STATG “I AM PROUD TO SAY THAT I AM A FORTUNATE HOMOSEXUAL MAN. I AM VERY BLSED TO BE WHO I AM.” IN REGARDS TO HIS RECENT G OUT, MART STATED ON LARRY KG LIVE, “IF I’D KNOWN HOW GOOD WAS GOG TO FEEL, I WOULD HAVE DONE 10 YEARS AGO.” MART IS THE FATHER BY WAY OF A SURROGATE MOTHER TO TW BOYS, MATTEO AND VALENTO. HE IS ALSO THE FOUNR OF THE NON-PROF CHARY ANIZATN RICKY MART FOUNDATN, WHICH ADVOT FOR THE WELL BEG OF CHILDREN AROUND THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}8. THE MEN OF THE B-52S (RICKY WILSON, FRED SCHNEIR & KEH STRICKLAND){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FRED SCHNEIR, RICKY WILSON, AND KEH STRICKLAND, ALL OPENLY GAY, ALONG WH CDY WILSON AND KATE PIERSON, MAKE UP THE AMERIN NEW WAVE BAND THE B-52S, KNOWN FOR THEIR POSIVE AND ENTHIASTIC, SLIGHTLY WACKY, TAKE ON THE DANCE AND SURF MIC GENRE POPULAR THE LATE ‘70S. THEY CRAFTED THEIR OWN “GUYS VS GALS” LL AND RPONSE STYLE AND ALONG WH THEIR THRIFT-STORE CHIC BEME FAMO EVERYWHERE FOR HS LIKE “ROCK LOBSTER” AND “LOVE SHACK.” THE GROUP FORMED 1977 WHEN VOLIST CDY AND HER BROTHER, GUARIST, RICKY WILSON PERFORMED AN IMPROMPTU JAM SSN WH KEYBOARD AND VOLIST PIERSON, DMMER STRICKLAND AND WBELL PLAYER AND VOLIST SCHNEIR AT A CHE RTRANT. THEY CHOSE THEIR NAME OM A BEEHIVE HAIRDO THAT REMBLED THE NOSE OF AN AIRPLANE WH THE SAME NAME. THEIR FIRST SGLE “ROCK LOBSTER” WAS AN UNRGROUND SUCCS AND SOON GOT THEM SIGNED TO WARNER BROS. DURG THE LATE ‘70S AND EARLY ‘80S THEY CHURNED OUT A STRG OF HS LIKE “PLA CLAIRE" AND “PRIVATE IDAHO.” WHILE RERDG THEIR THIRD ALBUM 1985, GUARIST RICKY WILSON, WHO HAD BEEN KEEPG HIS ILLNS A SECRET OM HIS BAND MEMBERS, DIED OM AIDS/HIV-RELATED HEALTH PLITNS AT THE AGE OF 32, PROMPTG A HIAT OM THEIR MIL REER. WHEN THE BAND REGROUPED, STRICKLAND CID TO SWCH OM DMS TO GUAR TO KEEP WILSON’S TRAMARK SOUND ALIVE. IN 1989 THEY RELEASED THEIR MOST SUCCSFUL ALBUM TO DATE, COSMIC THG. THE SGLE “LOVE SHACK” BEME THEIR FIRST TOP 40 H ON THE BILLBOARD HOT 100, ULTIMATELY REACHG NO. 3 NOVEMBER 1989. THEIR FOLLOW-UP SGLE “ROAM” REACHED THE SAME NUMBER MARCH 1990. THAT YEAR THEY WON THE MTV MIC AWARD FOR BT GROUP VIO AND BT ART DIRECTN. AS FOR THEIR SEXUALI, SCHNIER RELLS G OUT TO HIS MOTHER AT AN EARLY AGE, SHE RPOND “OH I KNOW, FREDDIE” AND NTUED VACUUMG. IN OCTOBER 2010, SCHNIER RELEASED A CHRISTMAS ALBUM DTATN… CHRISTMAS! WH HIS SI PROJECT THE SUPERNS. STRICKLAND ME OUT A 1992 TERVIEW OF Q MAGAZE, STATG, “IT WAS GREAT. NOTHG CHANGED, BUT I FELT WAS IMPORTANT TO JT SAY .” STRICKLAND AND HIS PARTNER MARK PRENTLY SHARE A HOME KEY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}7. NEIL TENNANT (PET SHOP BOYS){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ENGLISH MICIAN NEIL TENNANT MAK UP ONE HALF OF ELECTRONIC DANCE DUO PET SHOP BOYS. TENNANT PROVIS MA VOLS, KEYBOARDS, AND GUAR. IN A 1994 TERVIEW WH THE UK GAY LIFTYLE MAGAZE ATTU, TENNANT OFFICIALLY ME OUT. PET SHOP BOYS HAVE SOLD OVER 100 LN RERDS WORLDWI AND ARE ONE OF THE BT-SELLG MIL GROUPS THE WORLD. THE GROUP IS LISTED AS THE MOST SUCCSFUL DUO UK MIC HISTORY THE GUNS BOOK OF WORLD RERDS. THEY HAVE ACHIEVED 42 TOP 30 SGL AND 22 TOP 10 HS ON THE UK SGL CHART. THEIR HS “WT END GIRLS,” “IT’S A S,” “ALWAYS ON MY MD” AND “HEART” HAVE ALL REACHED NO.1. TENNANT WAS THE EXECUTIVE PRODUCER FOR RUF WAWRIGHT’S 2007 ALBUM RELEASE THE STARS. IN 2009 TENNANT RECEIVED THE BRIT AWARD FOR OUTSTANDG CONTRIBUTN TO BRISH MIC. STILL GOG STRONG, THE PET SHOP BOYS’ 2009 ALBUM Y REACHED NO. 4 ON THE UK ALBUM {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}6. GEE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WH HS SUCH AS “CARELS WHISPER” AND “WAKE ME UP BEFORE YOU GO-GO,” WHAM! BLASTED TO THE 1980’S WH STYLE. GEE MICHAEL AND HIS HIGH SCHOOL PAL ANDREW RIDGELEY FORMED THE DUO KNOWN AS WHAM! 1981. WHEN THEY BROKE UP 1986, MICHAEL CLAIMED HIS REASON WAS TO CREATE A MORE SOPHISTITED SOUND TO TARGET A NEW DIENCE OVER WHAM!’S PRIMARILY TEENAGE FAN-BASE. MICHAEL’S FIRST SGLE AS A SOLO ARTIST WAS THE ARETHA FRANKL DUET “I KNEW YOU WERE WAG (FOR ME)” WHICH EARNED THEM BOTH A GRAMMY W 1998 FOR BT R&B PERFORMANCE. MICHAEL NTUED TO ADD HS SUCH AS “FAH” “FREEDOM ’90,” AND “I WANT YOUR SEX” TO HIS ALREADY IMPRSIVE RUME, MAKG THE STAR AN TERNATNAL SEX SYMBOL. ALTHOUGH HE WAS Y ABOUT HIS SEXUALY, HE WAS OUTTED BY THE LOS ANGEL POLICE 1998 WHEN HE WAS ARRTED FOR ENGAGG “LEWD ACTS” A PUBLIC RTROOM. IN A 2007 TERVIEW WH INPENNT NEWS, MICHAEL ADMTED HE HID THE FACT HE WAS GAY FOR FEAR OF THE AFFECT MIGHT HAVE ON HIS MOTHER. SCE 1996, MICHAEL HAS BEEN A LONG-TERM RELATNSHIP WH BSMAN KENNY GOSS, WHO OWNS THE GOSS GALLERY DALLAS, TX. MICHAEL NTRIBUTED ALL OF THE PROCEEDS OM HIS DUET WH ELTON JOHN, “DON’T LET THE SUN GO DOWN ON ME” TO 10 DIFFERENT CHARI FOR CHILDREN, AIDS AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}5. BOY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS PART OF THE BRISH NEW ROMANTICS MOVEMENT OF THE 1980’S, THE ANDROGYNO BOY GEE, ONT MAN FOR CULTURE CLUB, GAVE HS SUCH AS “DO YOU REALLY WANT TO HURT ME?,” “KARMA CHAMELEON” AND “TIME (CLOCK OF THE HEART).” ALTHOUGH HE STGGLED WH HERO ADDICTN AND A BREAKUP WH FELLOW CULTURE CLUB DMMER JON MOSS (THEIRS WAS A SECRET RELATNSHIP DUE TO MOSS’ DISFORT WH A SAME-SEX PARTNER), HE HAS HAD SOME HIGH POTS HIS REER SCE LEAVG CULTURE CLUB. HE’S TABLISHED HIMSELF AS A SUCCSFUL DJ LONDON’S CLUB SCENE, STARTED A CLOTHG LE LLED “B-,” PENNED TRACKS FOR THE BEACH BOYS, CHARLOTTE CHURCH AND KYLIE MOGUE, AND HAS HAD SEVERAL SOLO HS, CLUDG “THE CRYG GAME” AND “AMAZG GRACE.” TALK OF A CULTURE CLUB RNN 2012 IS OFFICIAL AND GEE SAYS, “IT’S GOG TO BE GREAT FUN. IF WE DON’T DO NOW, WE’LL DO WHEN WE’RE 60 AND THAT WOULD BE TRAGIC.” GEE HELPED GIVE ANDROGYNY AN TERNATNAL STAGE AND OFTEN PLAYED Y ON HIS SEXUAL NATURE, ONCE FAMOLY STATG HE PREFERRED A “NICE CUP OF TEA” TO SEX. HE HAS REMAED A NSTANT FIGURE THE PUBLIC EYE AND HAS PENNED NUMERO SONGS FOCG ON THE TRATNS OF THE EQUALI FOR GAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}4. THE VILLAGE PEOPLE (ALEXANR BRILEY, RANDY JON, FELIPE ROSE){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 1977 OPENLY GAY FRENCH MIC PRODUCER JACQU MORALI WAS VISG A NEW YORK CY GAY BAR, WHEN HE SPOTTED FELIPE ROSE WORKG AS A GO-GO DANCER DRSED FULL NATIVE AMERIN HEADDRS AND ATTIRE. MORALI WAS CURRENTLY WORKG WH THE TALENTED SGER VICTOR WILLIS, WHOM HE DUBBED “THE YOUNG MAN WH THE BIG VOICE” AND AFTER SPOTTG ROSE, A LIGHT BULB WENT OFF MORALI’S HEAD AND HE POSTED AN AD A MIC TRA MAGAZE THAT READ: “MACHO TYP WANTED: MT DANCE AND HAVE A MOTACHE.” ALONG WH WILLIS (THE POLICE OFFICER AND HETEROSEXUAL) AND ROSE (THE NATIVE AMERIN, OPENLY GAY), MORALI BROUGHT ON RANDY JON (THE WBOY, OPENLY GAY), GLEN HUGH (THE BIKER, HETEROSEXUAL), DAVID HODO (THE NSTCTN WORKER, HETEROSEXUAL), AND ALEX BRILEY (THE SOLDIER, OPENLY GAY). HOPG TO TARGET GAY MEN’S FANTASI BY PICTG POPULAR GAY FANTASY PERSONAS, MORALI CREATED THE VILLAGE PEOPLE, A NAME HE CHOSE REFERENCE TO NEW YORK CY’S GREENWICH VILLAGE, WHICH AT THE TIME WAS KNOWN FOR S SUBSTANTIAL GAY POPULATN. AS A GROUP, THE VILLAGE PEOPLE’S CHURNED OUT HS LIKE “GO WT,” “IN THE NAVY,” AND “MACHO MAN,” WHICH PUT THEM ON THE CHARTS AND BROUGHT THEM MASTREAM ATTENTN, BUT WAS THEIR CLASSIC H “Y.M.C.A.” THAT MA THEM ONE OF THE MOST SUCCSFUL GROUPS OF THE DIS ERA, BEG THE FIRST GAY GROUP TO HAVE A NO. 1 H THE UK (THE SEND BEG FRANKIE GO TO HOLLYWOOD’S “RELAX”). WOMEN LOVED THEM FOR THE “MEN--UNIFORM” FANTASY THEY FULFILLED, STRAIGHT MEN APPRECIATED THE AMERINA THEM THEIR MIC, AND GAY MEN HERALD THEM FOR THEIR VISIBILY AND THE URAGE THEY GAVE OTHERS TO BE OPENLY GAY. IN REGARDS TO THEIR POSIVE IMPACT ON HELPG GAY YOUTH E OUT, ROSE ONCE TOLD THE HOUR, A MONTREAL NEWSPAPER “PEOPLE ALWAYS TELL ME, ‘YOU HELPED ME E OUT.’ I ALWAYS REPLY, ‘YOU DID THAT ON YOUR OWN.’.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}3. MICHAEL STIPE (R.E.M.){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS THE LEAD SGER FOR R.E.M., MICHAEL STIPE HAS BEEN A PNEER FOR THE ALTERNATIVE ROCK GENRE AND HAS PLAYED A PART AS ONE OF THE MOST FLUENTIAL ROCK BANDS OF THE 1980S AND ‘90S. WH CLASSIC HS LIKE “LOSG MY RELIGN,” “IT’S THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT,” “THE ONE I LOVE,” “MAN ON THE MOON” AND “EVERYBODY HURTS,” STIPE’S UNIQUE “MUMBLG” STYLE OF SGG AND HIS SURREAL SONGWRG ABILY LED TO R.E.M.’S DUCTN TO THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME 2007. ESTABLISHED ATHENS, GEIA 1980, R.E.M.’S BUT ALBUM MURMUR (RELEASED 1983) RECEIVED CRIL ACCLAIM, EVEN BEATG MICHAEL JACKSON’S THRILLER FOR ALBUM OF THE YEAR THE ROLLG STONE CRICS POLL. FOR THE NEXT , R.E.M. WENT ON TO RELEASE A STRG OF SUCCSFUL ALBUMS WH CHART TOPPG HS. IN 1996, THE GROUP SIGNED A REPORTED $80 LN RERDG NTRACT WH WARNER BROS. RERDS, THE LARGT OF S KD AT THAT POT HISTORY. RUMORS BEGAN SWIRLG ABOUT STIPE’S SEXUALY RPONSE TO A HAT HE WORE 1992 THAT SAID “WHE HOE STOP AIDS”. AT THE TIME STIPE WOULD ONLY MENT THAT HE WAS AN “EQUAL OPPORTUNY LECH” SAYG HE DID NOT LL HIMSELF GAY, STRAIGHT OR BISEXUAL. FALLY 2001, STIPE END YEARS OF SPECULATN BY G OUT TIME MAGAZE. HE DIVULGED THAT HE HAD BEEN A THREE-YEAR RELATNSHIP WH AN AMAZG MAN AND SCRIB HIMSELF AS A QUEER ARTIST. STIPE’S STATED HIS REASON FOR WAG SO LONG WAS THAT “ WAS SUPER PLITED FOR ME THE ‘80S. I WAS TOTALLY OPEN WH THE BAND AND MY FAY AND MY IENDS AND CERTALY THE PEOPLE I WAS SLEEPG WH. I THOUGHT WAS PRETTY OBV…I’D JT NEVER FELT STRONGLY ENOUGH ABOUT A PARTICULAR RELATNSHIP TO SAY ‘YEAH, HE’S MY BOYIEND, THAT IS WHAT IS’. NOW I REGNIZE THAT TO HAVE PUBLIC FIGUR BE VERY OPEN ABOUT THEIR SEXUALY HELPS SOME KID SOMEWHERE OUT THERE.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}2. FREDDY MERCURY (QUEEN){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS THE ONT MAN AND SONGWRER FOR THE ROCK BAND QUEEN, FREDDIE MERCURY BELTED OUT H AFTER H, OM “WE ARE THE CHAMPNS” TO “BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY” TO “CRAZY LTLE THG CALLED LOVE.” HE WAS ONE OF THE MOST THEATRIL ROCK PERFORMERS, EXPLAG, “WE’RE THE CECIL B. DEMILLE OF ROCK AND ROLL, ALWAYS WANTG TO DO THGS BIGGER AND BETTER.” HE HAD A FOUR-OCTAVE RANGE, HE CRAFTED SONGS THAT SPOKE OF BOTH THE BRIGHT AND THE GRTY SIS OF LIFE, HE CLAIMED, “I AM AS GAY AS A DAFFODIL” AND AS DAVID BOWIE SAID, “I ALWAYS ADMIRED A MAN WHO WORE TIGHTS…HE WAS FELY A MAN WHO ULD HOLD AN DIENCE THE PALM OF HIS HAND.” FREDDIE MERCURY DIED OF AIDS RELATED PNMONIA ON NOVEMBER 24, 1991, ONE DAY AFTER PUBLICLY ANNOUNCG THAT HE HAD AIDS. ALTHOUGH HE WAS CRICIZED FOR KEEPG HIS ILLNS A SECRET, WAS PLETELY CHARACTER FOR THE TENSELY PRIVATE MAN. HE LEAV A LEGACY OF MIC THAT IS CELEBRATED AROUND THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}1. ELTON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WH MORE THAN 30 ALBUMS AND 250 LN RERDS SOLD, SIR ELTON JOHN IS ONE OF THE MOST CELEBRATED AND SUCCSFUL MIL ARTISTS THE WORLD. WH HIS FLAMBOYANT STYLE, RASPY VOICE AND AN UNERRG ABILY TO GET TO THE HEART OF EVERY SONG HE’S WRTEN, ELTON JOHN HAS BEEN REGNIZED WH GRAMMY AWARDS, A TONY AWARD AND EVEN AN AMY AWARD. INDUCTED TO THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME 1994, HIS “CANDLE THE WD” IS THE BT SELLG SGLE OF ALL TIME. HE HAS BEEN WRG WH HIS CREATIVE PARTNER, BERNIE TP, SCE 1967. WHILE THEY HAVE LLABORATED ON OVER 30 ALBUMS, THEY ARE NEVER THE SAME ROOM WHEN WRG. ACTIVE THE FIGHT AGAST AIDS SCE THE 1980’S, HIS ELTON JOHN AIDS FOUNDATN, STARTED 1992, HAS RAISED LNS OF DOLLARS TO FUND PROGRAMS FOR HIV/AIDS PREVENTN AS WELL AS PROVIDG SERVIC FOR PEOPLE LIVG WH HIV/AIDS. HE WAS KNIGHTED 1995 FOR HIS CHARABLE WORK BY QUEEN ELIZABETH AND WED HIS HBAND, DAVID FURNISH, 2005. ELTON SHOWS NO SIGNS OF SLOWG DOWN, EHER HIS QUT TO RAISE FUNDS AND AWARENS ABOUT HIV/AIDS OR HIS MISSN TO SHARE HIS CREDIBLE MIL TALENT WH THE WORLD. THIS YEAR SIR ELTON AND FURNISH BEME PARENTS VIA A SURROGATE AND HE RELEASED HIS 30TH STUD ALBUM THE UNN WH LEON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• 30 SONGS FROM THE EARLY 2000S THAT ONLY GAY PEOPLE AND WOKE STRAIGHTS WILL REMEMBER

40 BT GAY SGERS & MICIANS OF ALL TIME (LGBTQ+ SGERS)

While shouldn't matter whether a sger or band is gay, lbian, transgenr, and so on, there have been plenty throughout mic's history that pletely she. Whether we were gettg over a bad breakup ourselv or lookg for spiratn to stand up to the bigots and homophob, the lyrics of “Stronger” and Spears’ nvictn liverg them really h home.

Who would have thought that Swedish pop star Robyn, whose 1997 h “Show Me Love” me out when she was jt 18, would bee a gay in a ltle more than a later.

However, s stat as an LGBTQ anthem was solidified by out gay dancer Mark Kanemura, who you may regnize om his time on So You Thk You Can Dance or as a backup dancer for Lady Gaga. And Jepsen was on too, brgg Kanemura up on stage wh her at numero ncerts when she performed “Cut to the Feelg” so he uld brg his Gay Pri to life ont of live dienc.

LGBTQ+ BANDS: OUR TOP 10 FAVORE GAY BANDS

She and her hband Jay-Z were honored by GLAAD (Gay & Lbian Alliance Agast Defamatn) earlier this year wh the Vanguard Award for beg LGBTQ alli. And fally, whether you’re margalized our culture for beg gay, for beg trans or for beg female, the msage of the song is universal: “Boy you know you love /How we’re smart enough/To make the lns/Strong enough to bare the children/Then get back to bs. ” You may hear gay guys jokgly recg l om Mean Girls like “you n’t s wh , ” but really we were the on typilly beg told that the lunch feteria, so we n fely relate to P!

TOP 50 GAY MALE {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}NEWSBY DAVIS MALLORYFEBARY 7, 2011/10:00 AMBY DAVIS MALLORYFEBARY 7, 2011 / 10:00 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"TOP 50 GAY MALE MICIANS","DATEPUBLISHED":"2011-02-07T15:00:22.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2011-02-07T15:00:22.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"DAVIS MALLORY","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"NEWS"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE DAYS, WH MORE AND MORE PUBLIC FIGUR G FORWARD ABOUT THEIR SEXUALY, WAS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME THAT WE HERE AT PUT TOGETHER A LIST OF THE MOST FLUENTIAL AND TRIGUG OPENLY GAY AND BISEXUAL MALE MICIANS OF THE PAST CENTURY. COMPILG A LIST LIKE THIS WAS NO SMALL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHILE WE’VE LIMED THIS TO ONLY 50 MICIANS, THE NUMBER OF OPENLY GAY ARTISTS FAR SURPASS THAT NUMBER, AND WE’RE SURE YOU WILL LIKELY SPOT AN ARTIST NEAR AND AR TO YOUR HEART THAT WE LEFT OUT. TST THAT WAS NOT DONE MALICE. WE SIMPLY TRIED TO ASSEMBLE A LIST OF THOSE ARTISTS WE FEEL HAVE BEEN BOTH SUCCSFUL THEIR REERS WHILE ALSO RAISG AWARENS TOWARD GAY RIGHTS ISSU AND GIVG BACK TO THE MUNY WHICH THEY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WE ALSO CID TO LE OUT THOSE ARTISTS WHOSE SEXUALY WAS OFTEN MORED TO BE GAY, BUT HAVE NEVER BEEN NFIRMED BY THE ARTISTS THEMSELV, TAKE MORRISSEY OR LIBERACE FOR EXAMPLE. WE ALSO CID TO OM THOSE MICIANS WHO APPEARED TO FLIRT WH BEG BISEXUAL, BUT ULTIMATELY SEEM TO NSIR THEMSELV STRAIGHT, SUCH AS DAVID BOWIE, OR MICIANS WHO HAVE TALKED VAGUE GENERALI ABOUT BISEXUALY BUT AGA ULTIMATELY SEEM CLEARLY HETEROSEXUAL, SUCH AS GREEN DAY ONT MAN BILLIE JOE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SO HERE WE ARE WH A LIST HONORG THOSE OUT AND PROUD MEN WHO HAVE PAVED THE WAY FOR MANY OTHERS LIKE THEM AND MANY MORE WHO WILL SURELY E. THE MEN HAVE BEEN A POSIVE FLUENCE FOR GLBT YOUTH AROUND THE WORLD, AND BY THEIR HONTY THEY HAVE HELPED SHAPE THE CURRENT CLIMATE AND ACCEPTABILY FOR BEG AN OPENLY GAY MALE ARTIST TODAY’S MIC {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE ARE ARTISTS WHO RISKED THEIR REERS TO BE TE TO THEIR SEXUALY, AND WHO MAKE PROUD TO BE THE GAY AND BI MEN THAT WE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}50. TIZIANO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ITALIAN POP SGER TIZIANO FERRO GOT HIS START LIKE NUMERO AMERIN IDOL FALISTS THE DAYS BY PARTICIPATG A TALENT SHOW - THE SANREMO MIC FTIVAL 1998. WHILE FERRO DID NOT W THE PETN, HE DID MAKE TO THE 12 FALISTS, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY HE UGHT THE ATTENTN OF TWO PRODUCERS THE DIENCE – ALBERTO SALERNO AND MARA {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TOGETHER THEY WORKED ON FERRO’S BUT ALBUM ROSSO RELATIVO, RELEASED 2001. FERRO’S SONG “UNIVERSAL PRAYER” WAS ED AT THE 2004 OLYMPIC GAM ATHENS, GREECE, AND HE HAS SCE GONE ON TO SELL OVER 8 LN ALBUMS WORLDWI, PART BEE FERRO IS FLUENT SPANISH AND RELEAS SPANISH VERSNS OF HIS ITALIAN ALBUMS. RECENTLY FERRO MA HEADL WHEN HE CHOSE TO E OUT TO ITALIAN VANY FAIR MAGAZE ON OCTOBER 5, 2010, STATG “I WANT TO FALL LOVE WH A MAN.” FERRO IS OUR MOST RECENTLY OUT GAY MALE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}49. COLTON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BORN GLENN SOIAN, COLTON FORD FIRST ROSE TO PROMENCE AS A GAY ADULT FILM STAR OM 2001-2002 WH 11 FILMS TO DATE, MANY OF WHICH I’M SURE YOU’VE ALREADY SEEN. INTERTGLY ENOUGH, BEFORE FORD’S TIME THE MOVIE DTRY, HE BEGAN HIS REER AS A BACK-UP SGER FOR THE LIK OF SALT ‘N PEPA, CHAKA KHAN, AND VANSA {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FORD WALKED AWAY OM THE ADULT FILM DTRY 2002 TO REFOC HIS REER ON MIC, GENERATG A STRG OF CLUB/DANCE HS CLUDG “EVERYTHG” AND “THAT’S ME” ON WHICH HE LLABORATED WH CAZWELL. HIS VER OF STEVIE WONR’S “SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED I’M YOURS” PEAKED AT NO. 9 ON THE HOT DANCE CLUB PLAY CHART WHILE HIS BUT ALBUM TUG OF WAR WAS RELEASED 2008. IN THE SAME YEAR HE PARTICIPATED THE TE COLORS TOUR ALONGSI CYNDI LPER, THE INDIGO GIRLS AND JOAN JETT. FORD APPEARS THE MIC VIO FOR LPER’S 2008 SGLE “INTO THE NIGHTLIFE.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FORD’S SEND ALBUM UNR THE COVERS FEATUR HIS VERSNS OF TRACKS OM ARTISTS LIKE BRNEY SPEARS’ “TROUBLE” AND ROBYN’S “WH EVERY HEARTBEAT.” SO WHAT KD OF MAN IS SOMEONE LIKE COLTON FORD TO? HE SAYS HE LIK “A MAN WHO N BE VULNERABLE, SHARE HIS SECURI, BE THE MOMENT AND BE VERY HONT AND THENTIC. THAT SPEAKS TO ME MORE THAN ANYTHG. THAT’S A REALLY, REALLY HOT QUALY.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}48. JAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE TEXAS BORN BRANNAN HAS BEEN PARED TO RUF WAWRIGHT FOR HIS OPENNS AS A GAY ARTIST, AND HAS BEEN PARED TO ANI DIFRAN AND JONI MCHELL FOR HIS CRAFTS WH SONGWRG, POSSSG THE QUALI OF AN “ANGRY, SAD WOMAN.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 2002, AFTER JT ONE SEMTER OF LLEGE OH, BRANNAN SET OUT FOR NEW YORK CY HOPG TO BREAK TO THE ENTERTAMENT DTRY. HE QUICKLY LAND A ROLE THE FILM SHORTB AND GOT THE CHANCE TO ADD HIS OWN SONG “SODA SHOP” TO THE MOVIE’S SOUNDTRACK. BRANNAN’S MIC REER SOON TOOK OFF AS HE UTILIZED MYSPACE, YOUTUBE AND BLOGSPOT TO ROUTELY UPLOAD SELF-MA MIC VIOS. HE SOON VELOPED A LOYAL FAN BASE AND 2008, BRANNAN RELEASED HIS BUT ALBUM GODDAMNED AND FOLLOWED UP WH AN ALBUM OF VER SONGS IN LIVG COLOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}47. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JORDANIAN-AMERIN LOS ANGEL-BASED SGER-SONGWRER, FERRAS GREW UP A SMALL TOWN ILLOIS WHERE HE NEVER FELT LIKE HE REALLY F . AFTER HIS PARENTS DIVORCED, HIS FATHER KIDNAPPED HIM AND BROUGHT HIM TO JORDAN, WHERE HE BEGAN PLAYG A CAS KEYBOARD AND BEGAN WRG HIS OWN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FERRAS’ FIRST ALBUM, ALIENS AND RABOWS FEATURED THE SONG “HOLLYWOOD’S NOT AMERI,” WHICH WAS ED AS THE EX SONG FOR SEASON SEVEN OF AMERIN IDOL. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE HAS SCE -WRTEN SEVERAL SONGS FOR ARTISTS CLUDG ADAM LAMBERT AND THE VERONIS, AND IS CURRENTLY WORKG ON HIS NEXT ALBUM WHICH HE HOP TO RELEASE 2011. (IT IS CURRENTLY POST-PRODUCTN.){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WH HIS SMOOTH, SWEET VOICE AND HIS CREDIBLE SONGWRG ABILY, FERRAS IS CERTALY A TALENT TO WATCH. AND WHAT DO OPENLY GAY FERRAS LOOK FOR A MATE? “A SENSE OF HUMOR. AND A GREAT ASS”.{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}46. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MASSACHETTS-BORN LE CASWELL, AKA CAZWELL, HAS BEEN PRAISED AT THE GAY MAN’S EMEM AND IS A PERSONAL FAVORE OF SIR ELTON JOHN. BT KNOWN FOR HIS GAY AND BISEXUAL-THEMED LYRICS, AS WELL AS HIS SEXUAL VIOS WHICH OFTEN FEATURE MEOS BY NEW YORK-BASED TRANSSEXUAL IN AMANDA LEPORE, CAZWELL’S FLUENC RANGE OM THE NOTOR B.I.G. TO THE BEASTIE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HIS BUT ALBUM, GET INTO IT, WAS RELEASED 2006 AND THE MIC VIO FOR THE LEAD SGLE “ALL OVER YOUR FACE” TURNED OUT TO BE TOO NTROVERSIAL TO BE AIRED ON LOGO DUE TO THE EXPLIC LYRICS AND SEXUAL THEM. DURG 2007 CAZWELL TOURED ALONGSI CYNDI LPER, RUF WAWRIGHT, THE INDIGO GIRLS AND OTHER SPECIAL GUTS ON THE TE COLORS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE VIO FOR CAZWELL’S IL SGLE “I SEEN BEYONCE AT BURGER KG” WENT VIRAL 2008 AND 2010 CAZWELL RELEASED THE VIO FOR “ICE CREAM TCK”, WHICH THE ADVOTE LLED “THE SUMMER’S RNCHIT MIC VIO.” FEATURG A PACK OF HALF-NAKED CHISELED GO GO BOYS, ’S NO SURPRISE THE VIO GAED OVER ONE LN VIEWS S FIRST WEEK. IT SEEMS CAZWELL CERTALY KNOWS WHAT GAY MEN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}45. OWEN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IF YOU’RE A FAN OF ANDREW BIRD, BEIT, OR AR FIRE, THEN YOU’RE LIKELY FAIAR WH CANADIAN POSER, VLIST, KEYBOARDIST AND VOLIST OWEN PALLETT. PALLETT -WROTE THE STRGS ARRANGEMENTS FOR AR FIRE’S ALBUMS FUNERAL, NEON BIBLE AND THE SUBURBS. HE BEGAN HIS MIC REER UNR THE ALIAS “FAL FANTASY,” A NAME HE CREATED DUE TO HIS AFFY FOR THE JAPANE VIOGAME SERI OF THE SAME {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PALLET’S PENCHANT FOR HUMORO ALBUM TL RULTED THE UNFETTABLE NAME OF HIS SEND ALBUM, HE POOS CLOUDS, WHICH WENT ON TO W CANADA’S POLARIS MIC PRIZE 2006. IT WAS AT THIS TIME THAT PALLETT’S REER BEGAN TO REALLY TAKE OFF, AND HE HIRED HIS BOYIEND PATRICK BORJAL AS HIS MANAGER AND THEY FORMED THE APTLY TLED PANY BOYIEND MANAGEMENT. IN 2009, PALLETT RETIRED THE E OF HIS BAND NAME FAL FANTASY AND RELEASED HIS CRILLY ACCLAIMED ALBUM {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}44. PATRICK {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ENGLISH SGER-SONGWRER PATRICK WOLF IS KNOWN FOR BG CLASSIL STMENTS SUCH AS THE PIANO, VLA, AND ULELE WH ELECTRONIC TECHNO-POP BEATS. WOLF’S ALBUM WD THE WIR GAED HIM NSIRABLE DIE MIC RPECT AND HE BEGAN PERFORMG WH THE LIK OF OWEN PALLETT, THE HIDN CAMERAS, AND AR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HIS THIRD ALBUM MAGIC POSN IS WHEN HE BEGAN TO SEE TE MERCIAL SUCCS AND EMBARKED ON A TOUR OF NORTH AMERI, EUROPE, JAPAN AND ATRALIA. THE OPENLY BISEXUAL WOLF SPARKED NTROVERSY AROUND HIS SEXUALY DURG AN TERVIEW WH THE LONDON PAPER WHEN HE STATED “IN THE SAME WAY I DON’T KNOW IF MY SIXTH ALBUM IS GOG TO BE A ATH-METAL RERD OR CHILDREN’S POP, I DON’T KNOW WHETHER I’M STED TO LIVE MY LIFE WH A HORSE, A WOMAN OR A MAN.” HE HAS BEEN A LONG-TERM RELATNSHIP WH A MAN NAMED WILLIAM SCE AUGT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}43. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YANIS SAHRAOUL, AKA SLIIMY, IS OF MOROCN-ALGERIAN SCENT AND A NATIVE OF FRANCE. THE FORMER TEENAGE CHOIRBOY WH AN UNDYG VOTN TO LILY ALLEN AND AN UNNNY REMBLANCE TO PRCE, RELEASED HIS BUT ALBUM PAT YOUR FACE 2009. THE ALBUM QUICKLY CLIMBED TO NO. 2 ON THE FRANCE ALBUM CHARTS, BUT WAS HIS VER OF BRNEY SPEARS’ “WOMANIZER” THAT BROUGHT HIM AMERIN ATTENTN. (KATY PERRY AND LADY GAGA BOTH TWEETED HIS VIO).{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CELEBRY BLOGGER PEREZ HILTON SIGNED HIM AS THE BUT ARTIST FOR HILTON’S PEREZC MIC LABEL. JT THREE DAYS BEFORE THE RELEASE OF HIS ALBUM, SLIIMY BOLDLY ANNOUNCED THAT HE IS GAY. “I DON’T HAVE ANY PROBLEM SAYG THAT I’M GAY. I EMBRACE AND DON’T WANT TO HI .”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}42. STEPH MERRT (THE MAGIC FIELDS){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BOSTON-BORN SGER/SONGWRER AND MULTI-STMENTALIST STEPH MERRT IS BT KNOWN AS THE LEAD SGER OF THE SYNTHPOP, FOLK GROUP THE MAGIC FIELDS. KNOWN FOR HIS UNTRAED AND DISTCT BARONE VOICE, MERRT HAS BEEN DUBBED “THE MOST MISERABLE MAN ROCK” DUE TO HIS BTER, IRONIC, AND OFTEN HUMORO TAKE ON LOVE. KNOWN MIC CIRCL AS A “GAY SYNTH-POP” GROUP, THE MAGIC FIELDS NSIST OF ONE GAY MALE ARTIST (MERRT), ONE LBIAN (CLDIA GONSON), ONE STRAIGHT FEMALE (SAN AMWAY, WHO IS NO LONGER WH THE GROUP), AND TWO STRAIGHT MAL (SAM DAVOL AND JOHN WOO).{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THEIR BT-KNOWN WORK IS THEIR THREE-VOLUME NCEPT ALBUM 69 LOVE SONGS, VOTED ALBUM OF THE YEAR BY THE VILLAGE VOICE. THEY ARE ALSO KNOWN FOR THEIR WI RANGE OF STMENTATN CLUDG THE ACRDN, BANJO, CELLO, FLUTE, MANDOL, ULELE, AND XYLOPHONE. MERR’S LYRICS OFTEN AL WH HIS SEXUALY AS EVINCED BY HIS TRACK “WHEN MY BOY WALKS DOWN THE STREET” FEATURG THE LYRICS “AMAZG, HE’S A WHOLE NEW FORM OF LIFE, BLUE EY BLAZG, AND HE’S GOG TO BE MY WIFE.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}41. JT TRANTER (SEMI PREC WEAPONS){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JT TRANTER IS MOST FAMO FOR HIS ROLE AS THE LEAD SGER OF THE NEW YORK-BASED GLAM ROCK BAND SEMI PREC WEAPONS. RAISED LAKE ZURICH, ILLOIS, TRANTER STUDIED AT THE CHIGO AMY FOR THE ARTS AND AT THE BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MIC BOSTON, GRADUATG WH A GREE SONGWRG. IN 2006, TRANTER, ALONG WH FELLOW BERKLEE GRADUAT, STEVY PYNE, COLE WHTLE AND DEAN CREAN, FORMED SEMI PREC WEAPONS. TRANTER ALSO VELOPED A JEWELRY LE LLED “FETTY” THAT IS SOLD AT BARNEYS, URBAN OUTFTERS AND HOT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FUND BY THE SAL OF HIS JEWELRY LE, TRANTER RERD AND RELEASED THE FIRST SPW ALBUM WE LOVE YOU 2008 WH THE STANDOUT SGLE “MAGIC BABY” AND THE GROUP WAS SIGNED TO INTERSPE RERDS THE NEXT YEAR. TRANTER IS A CLOSE IEND TO LADY GAGA, AND SPW MA A MEO HER “TELEPHONE” MIC VIO AND HAS BEEN A RECURRG OPENG ACT ON HER MONSTER BALL TOUR. OPENLY GAY, TRANTER ME OUT AT 14 AND FAMOLY STATED AN TERVIEW WH : “IF THEY AREN'T GOG TO GIVE ME AND THE RT OF THE HOMOS EQUAL RIGHTS THEN I DON'T WANT TO PAY EQUAL TAX”.{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}40. RAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BORN MUNCIE, INDIANA, RAY BOLTZ IS AN AWARD-WNG NTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN SGER/SONGWRER. BOLTZ’S REER CHRISTIAN MIC TOOK OFF WHEN HIS SONG “THANK YOU” RECEIVED THE SONG OF THE YEAR AWARD AT THE 1990 GMA DOVE AWARDS AND HE HAS SCE GONE ON TO SELL OVER 4.5 LN RERDS. BOLTZ WAS MARRIED TO HIS WIFE CAROL FOR OVER 30 YEARS BEFORE G OUT 2008 THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE OF THE WASHGTON BLA. IN THE TERVIEW, BOLTZ STATED: "IF THIS IS THE WAY GOD MA ME, THEN THIS IS THE WAY I'M GOG TO LIVE. IT'S NOT LIKE GOD MA ME THIS WAY AND HE'LL SEND ME TO HELL IF I AM WHO HE CREATED ME TO BE — I REALLY FEEL CLOSER TO GOD BEE I NO LONGER HATE MYSELF."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SCE THEN HE HAS NTUED TO PERFORM AT SEVERAL CHURCH OM THE GAY-AFFIRMG CHRISTIAN NOMATN METROPOLAN COMMUNY CHURCH. IN 2010, HE RELEASED THE ALBUM TE WH THE SONGS “DON’T TELL ME WHO TO LOVE,” ALG WH SAME-SEX MARRIAGE, AND “WHO WOULD J LOVE,” A SONG ABOUT RENCILG HIS SEXUALY AND HIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}39. JOE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JOE MCELRRY GAED REGNN AS THE WNER OF THE SIXTH SEASON OF UK’S THE X FACTOR 2009. MCELRRY FIRST DNED FOR THE X FACTOR 2007 BUT OPTED TO WALK AWAY OM THE PETN BEE HE FELT HE WAS TOO YOUNG PARED TO THE OTHER NTTANTS. IN 2009, HE AGA CID TO DN FOR THE SHOW AND WOUND UP WNG WH HIS VER OF MILEY CYS’S “THE CLIMB.” HIS VER OF CYS’S SONG WENT ON TO REACH NO. 1 ON BOTH THE UK AND IRELAND’S SGLE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MCELRRY’S PRIZE AS WNER OF THE X FACTOR WAS A RERDG NTRACT WH SIMON COWELL’S SY RERD LABEL WORTH AN TIMATED £1 LN. MCELRRY WAS ALSO FEATURED ON THE CHARY SGL OF R.E.M.’S “EVERYBODY HURTS” FOR THE 2010 HAIAN EARTHQUAKE AND JULY 2010, MCELRRY POSTED ON HIS OFFICIAL WEBSE THAT HE IS GAY AND GAVE AN TERVIEW TO THE UK’S DAILY MAIL WHICH HE CLARED “I’M REALLY HAPPY, I NOW KNOW WHO I AM…. I’VE HAD TIME TO THK ABOUT THGS. I WASN’T ATTRACTED TO ANYONE ANYWAY, MALE OR FEMALE. IT NEVER REALLY ENTERED MY HEAD I WAS GAY. BUT I JT KNOW. IT’S HOW I FEEL.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE RELEASE PARTY FOR HIS BUT ALBUM WI AWAKE WAS HELD AT LONDON’S FAMO CLUB G-A-Y ON OCTOBER 23, 2010 AND THE TRACK “SOMEONE WAKE ME UP” IS FEATURED ON THE SOUNDTRACK FOR DISNEY’S THE CHRONICL OF NARNIA: THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}38. MATT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE SON OF FAMED UNTRY MIC STAR GARY MORRIS, MATT MORRIS IS A FORMER MEMBER OF THE DISNEY CHANNEL’S THE MICKEY MOE CLUB ALONGSI JT TIMBERLAKE, CHRISTA AGUILERA, BRNEY SPEARS, RYAN GOSLG, KERI RSELL, AND JC CHASEZ. MORRIS FOUND SUCCS AS A SONGWRER THE EARLY 2000S WH HS LIKE AGUILERA’S “CAN’T HOLD US DOWN” AND KELLY CLARKSON’S “MISS INPENNT.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN JANUARY 2010, MORRIS RELEASED HIS BUT ALBUM WHEN EVERYTHG BREAKS OPEN ON TIMBERLAKE’S TENNMAN RERDS. HIS PERFORMANCE OF “HALLELUJAH” ALONGSI TIMBERLAKE FOR THE HOPE FOR HAI NOW TELETHON BEME THE MOST DOWNLOAD SONG OFF THE BROADST’S DIGAL RELEASE AND ROSE TO NO. 1 ON THE ITUN SGL CHART. MORRIS MARRIED HIS HBAND SEAN MICHAEL MORRIS DURG THE BRIEF TIME THAT SAME-SEX MARRIAGE WAS LEGAL CALIFORNIA. HIS HBAND ALSO SERV AS SPIRATN FOR THE SONG “LOVE” ON HIS BUT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}37. CHRIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CHRIS WILLIS IALLY BEGAN HIS REER AS A GOSPEL SGER, BUT RECEIVED TERNATNAL FAME FOR HIS LLABORATNS WH FRENCH MIC PRODUCER DAVID GUETTA ON TRACKS SUCH AS “LOVE IS GONE” “GETTG’ OVER” AND “LOVE DON’T LET ME GO.” IN THE MID-1990’S WILLIS RELEASED HIS SELF-TLED GOSPEL ALBUM AND WENT ON TOUR WH CHRISTIAN SGER TWILA PARIS AND EDIAN MARK LOWRY. TOWARD THE END OF THE ‘90S WILLIS FALLY MA PEACE WH HIS SEXUALY AND TRANSNED OUT OF GOSPEL MIC. WHILE DOG PUBLICY PARIS, WILLIS MET GUETTA AND THE TWO -WROTE AND RERD “JT A LTLE MORE LOVE” THAT SAME DAY, WHICH WENT ON TO BE A SMASH H ACROSS EUROPE. WILLIS HAS SCE BEEN FEATURED ON FIVE OF GUETTA’S ALBUMS; MOST RECENTLY WH THE SUCCSFUL SGLE “GETT’ OVER” OFF GUETTA’S GRAMMY-NOMATED 2009 RELEASE ONE LOVE. IN OCT 2010 WILLIS RELEASED HIS SOLO SGLE “LOUR (PUT YOUR HANDS UP).”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}36. EDWARD DROSTE (GRIZZLY BEAR){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}EDWARD DROSTE IS ONE OF THE ORIGAL MEMBERS OF THE BROOKLYN BASED DIE-ROCK QUARTET GRIZZLY BEAR. THE GROUP BEGAN AS A SOLO EFFORT ON DROSTE’S PART 2004. DROSTE ACCREDS THE BAND’S NAME TO A NICKNAME HE HAD FOR ONE OF HIS PAST BOYIENDS. BY 2005 DROSTE HAD EXPAND GRIZZLY BEAR TO A FOUR-MEMBER GROUP MAKG EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHELIC FOLK-POP MIC PARABLE TO THAT OF ANIMAL COLLECTIVE AND FLEET FOX. IN 2008 GRIZZLY BEAR OPENED FOR RADHEAD AND SOON AFTER RELEASED THEIR MOST CRILLY ACCLAIMED ALBUM TO DATE VECKATIMT, NAMED AFTER A SMALL, UNHABED ISLAND CAPE COD. THEIR FAN BASE NSISTS OF JAY-Z AND BEYONCE, WHO WERE RECENTLY SPOTTED AT ONE OF THEIR 2009 SHOWS. VECKATIMIST RANKED ON NUMERO LISTS AS ONE OF THE BT ALBUMS OF 2009 (WALL STREET JOURNAL, NEW YORK TIM, TIME MAGAZE) AND CLIMBED THE CHARTS TO S BETWEEN LADY GAGA’S THE FAME AND TAYLOR SWIFT’S FEARLS. WH ALL OF THIS SUCCS, WHAT DO SOMEONE LIKE DROSTE ENJOY DOG HIS SPARE TIME? SPENDG TIME AT HOME WH HIS TERR SIGNER BOYIEND CHAD MCPHAIL AND THEIR DOG, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}35. ROSTAM BATMANGLIJ (VAMPIRE WEEKEND){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ROSTAM BATMANGLIJ IS A MULTI-STMENTALIST, SONGWRER, PRODUCER AND SOLE GAY MEMBER OF THE NEW YORK CY-BASED DIE ROCK GROUP VAMPIRE WEEKEND. BATMANGLIJ IS ALSO THE -FOUNR OF ELECTRONIC FUNK PROJECT DISVERY WH RA RA RT VOLIST W MIL. BATMANGLIJ’S FAY MOVED OM IRAN TO AMERI JT BEFORE THE IRANIAN REVOLUTN 1979. HIS MOTHER NAJMIEAH IS A FAMO PERSIAN OKBOOK THOR AND HIS FATHER IS A PUBLISHER. WHILE ATTENDG COLUMBIA UNIVERSY, BATMANGLIJ MET HIS FELLOW VAMPIRE WEEKEND MEMBERS. THEIR BUT SELF-TLED ALBUM PRODUCED THE SGL “CAPE COD KWASSA KWASSA,” “MANSARD ROOF,” “A-PUNK,” AND “OXFORD COMMA.” “A-PUNK” WAS RANKED #4 ON ROLLG STONE MAGAZE’S LIST OF BT SONGS OF 2008. THE GROUP QUICKLY WENT OM PLAYG AT FFEE SHOPS AND BARS AROUND COLUMBIA UNIVERSY TO APPEARG ON DAVID LETTERMAN AND SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE AND SHARG MANAGEMENT WH THE WHE STRIP AND M.I.A.. FELLOW VAMPIRE WEEKEND BAND MATE EZRA KOENIG ACCREDS BATMANGLIJ AS THE KEY LYRICIST FOR HALF OF THE BAND’S SONGS. AS AN OPENLY GAY MAN, BATMANGLIJ SAYS HE’S EXCED TO RPORATE GAY THEM FUTURE SONGS, STARTG WH DISVERY’S “I WANNA BE YOUR BOYIEND.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}34. SAM {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ATRALIAN BORN SGER/SONGWRER AND MIC PRODUCER, SAM SPARRO (BORN SAM FALSON) WAS STED TO BE THE MIC BS OM THE START. WHEN SPARRO WAS ONLY 10, HIS FATHER, CHRIS FALSON, SIGNED A RERD AL TO CREATE A SOUL ALBUM AND MOVED HIS ENTIRE FAY OM SYDNEY TO LOS ANGEL. WHILE L.A. SPARRO GOT A START AS A CHILD ACTOR AND WAS FEATURED MCDONALD’S MERCIALS. SPARRO ALSO LENT HIS VOLS TO HIS FATHER’S ALBUMS AND WAS A MON BACK-UP SGER AT HIS DAD’S SHOWS. SPARRO RELEASED HIS BUT SGLE “COTTONMOUTH” 2007, BUT WAS HIS FOLLOW-UP SGLE “BLACK AND GOLD” THAT PEAKED THE CHARTS AND CREATED NUMERO VERS OM THE LIK OF WALE, ELLIE GOULDG, ALE, AND MORE. PRODUCERS MARK RONSON (AMY WEHOE) AND PL EPWORTH (FLORENCE + THE MACHE, BLOC PARTY) WORKED WH SPARRO ON HIS SELF-TLED BUT ALBUM, WHICH REACHED THE TOP 5 ON THE UK ALBUM CHARTS. OPENLY GAY, SPARRO HAS BEEN DUBBED A “GAY SUPERHERO.” HE CHOSE TO E OUT AT THE START OF HIS REER SO THAT, SPARRO’S WORDS, “GAY TEENAGERS DON'T HAVE TO GET THE SH KICKED OUT OF THEM SCHOOL AND THK THAT THEY'RE A HORRIBLE PERSON. IT'S EASIER TO BE AN 'OUT' POP STAR TODAY. MORRISSEY NEVER ME OUT, AND NEIL TENNANT LEFT VERY, VERY LATE, WHEREAS JAKE SHEARS WAS OPEN OM THE START." SPARRO IS CURRENTLY WORKG ON HIS SOPHOMORE ALBUM TO BE RELEASED {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}33. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BRISH SGER-SONGWRER, MIKA RELEASED HIS FIRST FULL-LENGTH STUD ALBUM LIFE CARTOON MOTN 2007, WHICH WENT ON TO SELL OVER 5.6 LN PI WORLDWI AND GARNERED HIM A GRAMMY NOMATN FOR BT DANCE RERDG FOR HIS H “LOVE TODAY.” HIS SGLE “GRACE KELLY” REACHED NUMBER ONE THE UK AND EARNED HIM THE PRTIG BRIT AWARD FOR BT BRISH BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST. TWO YEARS LATER MIKA’S SEND ALBUM THE BOY WHO KNEW TOO MUCH WAS RELEASED PRODUCG THE SGL “WE ARE GOLN” AND “BLAME ON THE GIRLS.” IN REGARDS TO MIKA’S SEXUALY, HE HAS OPENLY STATED TO GAY & NIGHT MAGAZE "I'VE NEVER EVER LABELED MYSELF. BUT HAVG SAID THAT; I'VE NEVER LIMED MY LIFE, I'VE NEVER LIMED WHO I SLEEP WH... CALL ME WHATEVER YOU WANT. CALL ME BISEXUAL, IF YOU NEED A TERM FOR ME.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}32. CASEY SPOONER (FISCHERSPOONER){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BORN ATHENS, GA CASEY SPOONER IS ONE HALF OF THE ELECTRO POP DUO FISCHERSPOONER. ASI OM LEADG ON VOLS, SPOONER IS A VIOGRAPHER AND THEATER PERFORMANCE ARTIST WHO MET WARREN FISCHER WHILE ATTENDG THE ART INSTUTE OF CHIGO 1998. TOGETHER THE TWO HAVE RELEASED THREE STUD ALBUMS AS FISCHERSPOONER CLUDG THE SUCCSFUL SGL “THE BT REVENGE” AND “JT LET GO.” IN JANUARY 2010 SPOONER RELEASED HIS FIRST SOLO SGLE “FAYE DUNAWAY” OFF HIS ALBUM ADULT CONTEMPORARY. HE CURRENTLY IS TOURG AS THE OPENG ACT FOR SCISSOR SISTERS’S NORTH AMERIN TOUR. OPENLY GAY, SPOONER’S FIRST ROMANTIC RELATNSHIP WAS WH R.E.M. SGER MICHAEL STIPE WHILE SPOONER WAS ATTENDG THE UNIVERSY OF GEIA. SPOONER RELISH THE IA OF BEG A POSIVE ROLE MOL FOR THE GAY MUNY, STATG: "IF I N BE AN SPIRATN TO PEOPLE WHO ARE CHOOSG TO GO DOWN A CHALLENGG, NONTRADNAL PATH--SEXUALLY, CREATIVELY, HOWEVER--THAT IS JT GREAT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}31. BOB {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FORMER ONT MAN FOR ALTERNATIVE ROCK BANDS HüSKER Dü AND SUGAR, BOB MOULD IS AN AMERIN GUARIST, VOLIST AND SONGWRER OM NEW YORK. WHILE LIVG MNEAPOLIS THE LATE 1970’S MOULD FORMED THE PUNK ROCK GROUP HüSKER Dü, A BAND THAT WENT ON TO BEE A KEY FLUENCER OF THE 90’S PUNK ROCK WAVE. IN THE LATE 1980’S HüSKER Dü BROKE UP AND MOULD WENT ON TO WRE HIS FIRST SOLO ALBUM. SURPRISGLY MOULD TOOK A TOUR OM THE LOUD PUNK-ROCK GUAR SOUND HE WAS KNOWN FOR AND CREATED A SOUND MORE SIAR TO THAT OF THE COUNTG CROWS OR G BLOSSOMS. IN THE MID-1990’S MOULD FORMED THE LLEGE/ALTERNATIVE RAD FAVORE BAND SUGAR THAT RELEASED TWO EPS BEFORE BREAKG UP. MOULD PRENTLY TOURS AS A SOLO ARTIST AND MUCH OF HIS WRG MATERIAL STEMS OM HIS EXPERIENCE SPENDG YEARS AS A CLOSETED GAY MAN THE ROCK MIC SCENE AND THE TURBULENT RELATNSHIPS OF HIS PAST. IN 2006 HE NTRIBUTED THE SONG “IF I CAN’T CHANGE YOUR MD” TO THE ALBUM WED-ROCK, AN ALBUM TO PROMOTE THE LEGALIZATN OF SAME-SEX {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}30. JONSI (SIGUR RóS){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JóN “JóNSI” ÞóR BIRGISSON IS THE LEAD VOLIST AND GUARIST FOR THE ICELANDIC ROCK BAND SIGUR RóS. KNOWN FOR HIS FALSETTO VOICE AND MA UP LANGUAGE “HOPELANDIC,” JONSI HAS CREATED SOME OF THE MOST BETIFUL EXPERIMENTAL DIE-ROCK MIC SCE RADHEAD. IN 1995 JONSI STARTED THE BAND BEE SPIRS, WHICH WAS LIKENED TO THE SMASHG PUMPKS. BY 1997 JóNSI HAD FORMED SIGUR RóS AND RELEASED THEIR BUT ALBUM VON. SIGUR RóS HAS SCE RELEASED FOUR ADDNAL STUD ALBUMS, THEIR MOST SUCCSFUL ENGLISH CROSSOVER ALBUM BEG MEð SUð í EYM VIð SPILUM ENDALST (MEANG “WH A BUZZ IN OUR EARS WE PLAY ENDLSLY”). IN 2010 THE GROUP ANNOUNCED AN “FE HIAT” AND JóNSI WENT ON TO RELEASE HIS FIRST SOLO ALBUM GO. HIS BOYIEND ALEX SOMERS HAS DONE MUCH OF THE GRAPHIC SIGN FOR SIGUR RóS OVER THE YEARS. THE TWO ALSO PERFORM TOGETHER THE GROUP JóNSI & ALEX AND RELEASED AN ALBUM: RICEBOY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}29. CHUCK PANOZZO (STYX){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS THE BASSIST AND -FOUNR (WH HIS LATE BROTHER AND TW, JOHN) OF THE ROCK BAND STYX, CHUCK PANOZZO HAS GIVEN MUCH TO THE WORLD OF MIC. FROM THE 70’S TO THE EARLY 80’S, STYX PRODUCED SUCH HS AS “LADY,” “COME SAIL AWAY,” “ANGRY YOUNG MAN” AND “RENEGA.” THEY HAVE BEEN TOGETHER ON AND OFF SCE THE EARLY 80’S, WH PANOZZO PARTICIPATG AS MUCH AS HE WAS ABLE. HE WAS DIAGNOSED AS HIV-POSIVE 1991, DOCTORS TELLG HIM THEY DID NOT KNOW HOW TO HELP HIM. IN 1998 HE MTED HIMSELF TO GETTG WELL AND HAS BEEN ON AN AGGRSIVE REGIMEN EVER SCE. AS HE SAYS ON HIS WEBSE, “I WANTED TO OUT MYSELF A MEANGFUL AND POSIVE WAY.” HE CHOSE TO ANNOUNCE TO THE WORLD THAT HE IS GAY AT A HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN DNER 2001. PANOZZO IS A STRONG SUPPORTER OF THE HRC AND IS VOLVED WH HIV/AIDS AWARENS ACTIVI. AS HE SAYS, “I WANT TO BE SURE LAWS ARE MA AND PROTECTED FOR ALL. THERE WILL BE NO SEND-CLASS CIZENS THIS SOCIETY.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}28. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ANTHONY CHARL WILLIAM III, BETTER KNOWN BY HIS STAGE NAME TONEX, IS A GRAMMY NOMATED GOSPEL SGER WHO HAS RELEASED AN IMPRSIVE 24 ALBUMS OVER THE SPAN OF HIS 14-YEAR REER. INFLUENCED BY THE LIK OF STEVIE WONR, PRCE, AND MICHAEL JACKSON, TONEX RERD HIS FIRST ALBUM AT THE MERE AGE OF 10. TONEX’S UNIQUE STYLE AND SOUND, WHICH HE LLS “NURE” - A BATN OF POP, ROCK, R&B, JAZZ, SOUL, URBAN DANCE, RAP, FUNK AND HIP HOP- GAED HIM NSIRABLE ATTENTN AMONG YOUNG GOSPEL MIC FANATICS. TONEX’S BUT NCERT PERFORMANCE AT THE 14TH ANNUAL STELLAR AWARDS, A GOSPEL MIC SHOWSE, WAS LIKENED TO THAT OF MICHAEL JACKSON’S PERFORMANCE OF THE MOONWALK. TONEX’S MOST SUCCSFUL ALBUM TO DATE IS THE GRAMMY NOMATED 2004 RELEASE OUT THE BOX WHICH HE LLABORATED WH KIRK FRANKL AND PRCE’S PERCSNIST SHEILA E. TONEX DIVORCED HIS WIFE OF 5 YEARS, YVETTE WILLIAMS, 2004 AND 2009, ON A POPULAR CHRISTIAN TELEVISN SHOW “THE LEXI SHOW,” TONEX ANNOUNCED THAT HE IS GAY. HE SOON SAW BACKLASH WH THE AIN AMERIN AND CHURCH MUNY AND REQUTS FOR HIM TO PERFORM SUDNLY STOPPED. THAT DIDN’T SLOW HIM DOWN THOUGH. AS A PASTOR, TONEX PRENTLY TRAVELS SPREADG A MSAGE OF ACCEPTANCE THE CHURCH AND HAS BEEN A HUGE SPIRATN FOR MANY GAY AIN AMERIN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}27. ANTONY HEGARTY (ANTONY & THE JOHNSONS){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ENGLISH-BORN SGER/SONGWRER, POSER AND VISUAL ARTIST, ANTONY HEGARTY IS BT KNOWN FOR HIS ANDROGYNO VOICE AS THE LEAD SGER OF THE BAND ANTONY & THE JOHNSONS. IN 1996 HEGARTY UTILIZED LLEGE GRANT MONEY TO SOLIC MICIANS TO RERD SOME OF HIS SONGS; TH BEGAN ANTONY & THE JOHNSONS. BY 2005 THE GROUP WAS PERFORMG REGULARLY AROUND NEW YORK CY AND SOLICED THE LIK OF BOY GEE, RUF WAWRIGHT AND LOU REED TO LLABORATE ON THEIR ALBUM I AM A BIRD NOW. THE ALBUM RECEIVED NSIRABLE PRAISE AND GARNERED ANTONY UK’S MOST PRTIG AWARD - THE MERCURY PRIZE. WH LYRICS LIKE “ONE DAY I’LL GROW UP AND BE A BETIFUL WOMAN,” ANTONY HAS NEVER MASKED HIS SEXUAL INTY, AND NSIRS BOY GEE AND MARC ALMOND TWO OF HIS GREATT IDOLS. ANTONY’S FOLLOW-UP ALBUM THE CRYG LIGHT PEAKED NO. 1 ON THE EUROPEAN BILLBOARD CHARTS. IN 2008, ANTONY LEANT HIS VOLS TO A SI PROJECT ENTLED HERCUL AND LOVE AFFAIR. THEIR TRACK “BLD” RANKED NO. 2 ON ENTERTAMENT WEEKLY’S “10 BT SGL OF 2008.” ANTONY’S FAME IS STILL GROWG AND AS A RELATIVELY NEW ARTIST, HE HAS QUE A FAN BOY GEE. GEE ONCE STATED HE ENVISNS ANTONY “OUTSTRIPPG NORAH JON AND SELLG LNS OF RERDS IF ANYONE HAD THE BALLS TO GIVE HIM A HUGE RERD NTRACT.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}26. CLAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AMERIN SGER/SONGWRER, ACTOR, PRODUCER AND THOR CLAY AIKEN ROSE TO FAME ON THE SEND SEASON OF AMERIN IDOL 2003 AS NNER-UP TO RUBEN STUDDARD. RCA RERDS OFFERED HIM A RERDG NTRACT AND HIS MULTI-PLATUM BUT ALBUM MEASURE OF A MAN WAS RELEASED OCTOBER 2003. SCE THEN AIKEN HAS RELEASED FOUR MORE ALBUMS ON THE RCA LABEL AND LNCHED NE TOURS, THORED A NEW YORK TIM BT-SELLG BOOK LEARNG TO SG: HEARG THE MIC YOUR LIFE, CREATED THE NATNAL INCLN PROJECT FOR CHILDREN WH DISABILI, BEME A UNICEF AMBASSADOR 2004, AND WAS APPOTED FOR A TWO-YEAR TERM TO THE PRINTIAL COMMTEE FOR PEOPLE WH INTELLECTUAL DISABILI. AIKEN MA HIS BROADWAY BUT PLAYG SIR ROB ON MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT. ON AUGT 8TH 2008 AIKEN ANNOUNCED THE BIRTH OF HIS SON PARKER FOSTER AIKEN, TO MOTHER JAM FOSTER, SISTER OF AIKEN’S RERD PRODUCER DAVID FOSTER. IN A SEPTEMBER 2008 ISSUE OF PEOPLE MAGAZE, AFTER YEARS OF SPECULATN, AIKEN REVEALED HE IS GAY. SCE THEN AIKEN HAS PARTICIPATED THE BROADWAY CAR/EQUY FIGHTS AIDS MPAIGN, SPOKEN AT THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN DNER NORTH CAROLA, AND PARTICIPATED CYNDI LPER’S “GIVE A DAMN CAMPAIGN.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}25. KELE OKEREKE (BLOC PARTY){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BRISH MICIAN KELE OKEREKE IS BT KNOWN AS THE LEAD SGER AND GUARIST FOR THE ALT ROCK BAND BLOC PARTY. IN 2005 BLOC PARTY RELEASED THEIR FIRST STUD ALBUM SILENT ALARM WH THE SGL “PNEER” “BANQUET” AND “HELIPTER.” PRODUCED BY PL EPWORTH (FLORENCE + THE MACHE, CEE-LO GREEN, KATE NASH), SILENT ALARM REACHED NO. 3 THE UK CHARTS AND ROCKETED THE BAND TO FAME. THEIR FOLLOW-UP ALBUM A WEEKEND THE CY WENT ON TO REACH THE NO. 2 SPOT THE OFFICIAL UK CHART, AND THE FIRST SGLE “THE PRAYER” REACHED NO. 4 ON THE UK SGL CHART, THE GROUP’S HIGHT PLACG TO DATE. IN 2010 OKEREKE RELEASED HIS FIRST SOLO ALBUM BOXER PRODUCED BY XXXCHANGE WH THE LEAD TRACK TLED “TENRONI.” WHILE GEARG UP FOR HIS SOLO BUT, OKEREKE FALLY ME OUT A MARCH 2010 TERVIEW WH BUTT MAGAZE, A SUBJECT HE A HAD LONG AVOID, STATG: "MY PARENTS ARE SUPER-CATHOLIC AND THEY E OM A CULTURE NIGERIA WHERE THERE WEREN’T ANY VISIBLE GAY PEOPLE WHO WERE OUT AND WERE HAPPY. I LEFT HOME WHEN I WAS 20. MY PARENTS THREW ME OUT [FOR BEG GAY]. WHICH I KNEW THEY WOULD. WE DIDN'T SPEAK FOR LIKE A WEEK. ... MY PARENTS ARE GETTG OLR AND I DIDN’T LIKE THE IA THAT THEY ULD POSSIBLY DIE WHOUT KNOWG SOMETHG THAT IS A BIG PART OF MY LIFE. IT’S NOT EASY. ... WE'VE BEEN TALKG ABOUT ."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}24. DARREN HAY (SAVAGE GARN){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}UK-BASED ATRALIAN SGER-SONGWRER, DARREN HAY WAS THE LEAD SGER AND MEDIA ONT MAN FOR POP DUO SAVAGE GARN, WHOSE 1997 ALBUM SAVAGE GARN WAS NO. 3 THE UNED STAT AND PRODUCED THE HS “TLY, MADLY, DEEPLY” AND “I WANT YOU.” SAVAGE GARN STAYED TOGETHER FOR ONLY TWO ALBUMS AND RELEASED THE US NO. 1 H “I KNEW I LOVED YOU” BEFORE HAY WENT OUT ON HIS OWN, CHANGG HIS SOUND OM SOFT POP-ROCK TO A MORE ELECTRONIC DARKER SOUND. HE HAS THREE SOLO ALBUMS UNR HIS BELT AND ANOTHER N BE EXPECTED 2011, PRODUCED BY LADY GAGA’S MIXER ROBERT ORTON. INCLUDG HIS WORK WH SAVAGE GARN, HAY HAS SOLD OVER 25 LN ALBUMS WORLDWI. ALTHOUGH HAY WAS MARRIED FOR SIX YEARS TO HIS CHILDHOOD SWEETHEART, MAKP ARTIST COLBY TAYLOR, THEY DIVORCED 2000 AND HE BEGAN G OUT TO HIS IENDS AND HIS LABEL THE EARLY 2000’S. IN 2006, HE MARRIED HIS BOYIEND OF TWO YEARS, RICHARD CULLEN, A CIVIL CEREMONY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}23. MARC ALMOND (SOFT CELL){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MARC ALMOND ROSE TO FAME THE EARLY 1980S AS ONE HALF OF THE ENGLISH NEW WAVE DUO SOFT CELL. THEIR SLOWED-DOWN, SYNTHIZED VERSN OF GLORIA JON’ “TATED LOVE” WAS A NO. 1 H 17 UNTRI AND SPENT A RERD-BREAKG 43 WEEKS ON THE US HOT 100 CHARTS. THE TRACK ONCE AGA FOUND SELF ON THE CHARTS, WHEN 2006, RIHANNA SAMPLED ON HER NO. 1 H “SOS.” IN 1984 SOFT CELL SPL AMIBLY TO FOC ON SOLO EFFORTS AND ALMOND WENT ON TO RELEASE NUMERO SOLO ALBUMS. IN 1999, ALMOND RELEASED HIS TOBGRAPHY, TATED LIFE, WHICH HE OFFICIALLY ME OUT. SOFT CELL RNED 2002 AND PERFORMED A STRG OF NCERTS. 2010 MARKS ALMOND’S 30TH YEAR MIC AND HE IS GEARG UP FOR A NEW ALBUM AND GLOBAL TOUR. ALONG WH HIS TIME SOFT CELL, ALMOND HAS SOLD OVER 30 LN RERDS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}22. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}KNOWN AROUND THE WORLD AS THE “QUEEN OF DIS,” SYLVTER WAS AN AMERIN DIS SGER WHO ROSE TO TERNATNAL FAME THE LATE 1970’S WH HS SUCH AS “YOU MAKE ME FEEL (MIGHTY REAL),” “DANCE (DIS HEAT),” AND “DO YOU WANNA FUNK.” KNOWN FOR HIS FALSETTO VOICE AND HIS EXOTIC STUM, SYLVTER GOT HIS START AS A DRAG PERFORMER THE SAN FRANCIS NIGHTLIFE SCENE. HIS SOPHOMORE ALBUM PRODUCED THE HS “DANCE (DIS HEAT)” AND “YOU MAKE ME FEEL (MIGHTY REAL),” BOTH OF WHICH LED THE AMERIN DANCE CHARTS FOR 6 WEEKS. IN 1979, HARVEY MILK VED SYLVTER TO PERFORM “YOU MAKE ME FEEL (MIGHTY REAL)” AT SAN FRANCIS’S CASTRO STREET FAIR AND 2004, HIS SAME H WAS DUCTED TO THE DANCE MIC HALL OF FAME. AS A RULT OF SYLVTER’S EVER-GROWG FAME, HIS LABEL BEGAN TO PRSURE HIM TO “BUTCH UP” HIS IMAGE - FIANCE SYLVTER BEGAN SHOWG UP TO LABEL MEETGS FULL-DRAG. TRAGILLY, DECEMBER 1988, AT THE AGE OF 41, SYLVTER DIED OM PLITNS DUE TO AIDS. HE STATED THE YEAR PRR TO HIS ATH: “I DON’T BELIEVE AIDS IS THE WRATH OF GOD. PEOPLE HAVE A TENNCY TO BLAME EVERYTHG ON GOD.” IN 2005, SYLVTER WAS DUCTED TO THE DANCE MIC HALL OF FAME FOR HIS ACHIEVEMENTS AS AN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}21. HOLLY JOHNSON (FRANKIE GO TO HOLLYWOOD){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FRANKIE GO TO HOLLYWOOD WERE A BRISH DANCE-POP BAND POPULAR THE MID 1980’S MOST NOTABLE FOR THEIR BUT SGLE “RELAX (TAKE IT EASY)” WHICH SPENT FIVE NSECUTIVE WEEKS AT THE TOP OF THE UK SGL CHART AND BEME THE 7TH BT SELLG UK SGLE OF ALL TIME. THEIR FOLLOW-UP HS “TWO TRIB” AND “THE POWER OF LOVE” ALSO CLIMBED THE UK CHARTS TO NO. 1, MAKG FGTH THE SEND ACT UK HISTORY TO HAVE THEIR FIRST THREE SGL REACH NO. 1. HOLLY JOHNSON LED ON VOLS AND WAS AT ONE TIME MORED TO BE DATG BACK UP VOLIST PL RUTHERFORD. AFTER SPLTG OM FGTH, JOHNSON WENT ON TO PURSUE A SOLO REER AND RELEASED HIS PLATUM SELLG NUMBER ONE ALBUM BLAST THAT SPAWNED FOUR H SGL. IN 1991 JOHNSON LEARNED HE WAS HIV-POSIVE AND 1994 RELEASED HIS CRILLY ACCLAIMED TOBGRAPHY, A BONE MY FLUTE. HE IS CURRENTLY WORKG ON NEW {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}20. ROB HALFORD (JUDAS PREIST){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHO SAYS A GAY MAN N’T WEAR LEATHER AND SCREAM HEAVY METAL VOLS? OBVLY SOMEONE WHO HAS NEVER HEARD OF ROB HALFORD. WHETHER AS THE LEAD SGER OF GRAMMY-AWARD WNG ROCK BAND JUDAS PRIT, OR HIS OWN BAND, HALFORD, HIS FOUR-OCTAVE RANGE AND THE STRENGTH OF HIS VOICE GAVE RISE TO HIS MONIKER “METAL GOD.” CONSIRED ONE OF THE MOST NSISTENTLY POWERFUL SGERS ROCK, HALFORD HAS GIVEN SUCH HS AS “HEADG OUT TO THE HIGHWAY” AND “YOU’VE GOT ANOTHER THG COMG.” AS HE STTS ACROSS THE STAGE, BALD HEAD GLEAMG AND TATTOOS STARK AGAST HIS SK, HE OWNS EVERY MUTE AND EVERY FAN THAT WATCH. ALTHOUGH HE’S BEEN A PART OF THE MIC SCENE SCE THE 70’S, HE DIDN’T E OUT UNTIL 1998 AN MTV TERVIEW, WHICH HE SAID, “I THK THAT MOST PEOPLE KNOW THAT I’VE BEEN A GAY MAN ALL OF MY LIFE, AND ’S ONLY BEEN RECENT TIM ’S AN ISSUE I FEEL FORTABLE TO ADDRS… AND THIS IS THE MOMENT TO DISCS .”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}19. MARK FEEHILY (WTLIFE){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS A MEMBER OF IRISH POP GROUP WTLIFE, MARK FEEHILY IS DISTGUISHED FOR HIS RICH, SOULFUL VOICE, WHICH N BE HEARD ON EVERY SONG. HE SHAR THE ROLE OF LEAD VOLIST ALONGSI SHANE FILAN. WTLIFE IS THE ONLY GROUP BRISH OR IRISH HISTORY TO HAVE THEIR FIRST SEVEN SGL GO STRAIGHT TO NO. 1, AND THEY HAVE SOLD OVER 44 LN RERDS WORLDWI. ORIGALLY SIGNED BY SIMON COWELL 1998, WTLIFE ARE THE 2ND BIGGT SELLG ARTIST THE UK (BEHD ROBBIE WILLIAMS) AND “BIGGT SELLG BAND OF THE ” (BEATG COLDPLAY) WH 11 LN ALBUM SAL OM 2000-2010. IN 2005 FEEHILY ME OUT TO THE BRISH TABLOID THE SUN, ANNOUNCG HE HAD BEEN A LONG-TERM RELATNSHIP WH KEV MCDAID, A MEMBER OF THE BRISH BOY BAND V. IN THE TERVIEW, FEEHILY SAID, “MY LIFE HAS GOT UMPTEEN TIM BETTER… I FEEL SO MUCH HAPPIER AND AT EASE. IT’S THE BT THG I’VE EVER DONE.” FEEHILY AND MCDAID HAVE BEEN DATG SCE 2005 AND ON JANUARY 28, 2010 THE TWO GOT ENGAGED. FEEHILY TOLD THE SYDNEY MORNG HERALD: “THROUGH THE YEARS OF GETTG TO THE POT WHERE I WANTED TO E OUT, I HAD TO GO THROUGH EVERY KD OF EMOTN, BUT I N HONTLY SAY THAT THE DAY BEFORE I ME OUT, I DIDN’T RE WHAT THE REACTN WAS GOG TO BE. THAT WAS THE HARST POT TO GET TO.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}18. STEPHEN GATELY (BOYZONE){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 1993 IRISH NATIVE STEPHEN GATELY JOED THE BOY BAND BOYZONE AS ONE OF TWO LEAD VOLISTS. BOYZONE WENT ON TO PRODUCE FOUR STUD ALBUMS, ALL OF WHICH H NO. 1 THE UNED KGDOM. WH BOYZONE, GATELY HAD A RERD-BREAKG 16 NSECUTIVE SGL ENTER THE UK’S TOP FIVE SGL CHART. IN A 1999 TERVIEW WH THE SUN MAGAZEGATELY BEME THE FIRST BOYBAND MEMBER EVER TO PUBLICLY E OUT. IN 2000, AFTER THE BAND’S IAL BREAKUP, GATELY RELEASED A SOLO ALBUM, WHICH PRODUCED THREE UK H SGL CLUDG “NEW BEGNG.” IN 2003, WHILE VATNG LAS VEGAS, GATELY WED LONGTIME BOYIEND ANDREW COWL. WHEN THEY RETURNED TO THE UK THE TWO LEGALIZED THEIR RELATNSHIP WH A CIVIL PARTNERSHIP HELD LONDON. IN 2008 BOYZONE REGROUPED. IN THEIR FAL MIC VIO GATELY PLAYED THE ROLE OF A GAY UPLE, ANOTHER FIRST FOR A BOYBAND. TRAGILLY ON OCTOBER 10, 2009 MAJOR, SPA, AT AN APARTMENT HE OWNED WH HIS PARTNER COWL, GATELY WAS DISVERED AD DUE TO AN UNDIAGNOSED HEART {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}17. RUF {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CANADIAN-AMERIN SGER/SONGWRER RUF WAWRIGHT WAS BORN TO AN EXTREMELY TALENTED FAY. HIS PARENTS ARE FOLK SGER KATE MCGARRIGLE AND ACTOR LOUDON WAWRIGHT III AND HIS SISTER IS THE FOLK-ROCK SGER/SONGWRER MARTHA WAWRIGHT. AT AN EARLY AGE RUF VELOPED A LOVE FOR OPERA AND A PROCLIVY FOR SONGWRG. HE LEARNED TO PLAY BOTH THE PIANO AND GUAR AND VELOPED HIS OWN MIL STYLE LLED “POPERA” OR “BAROQUE POP.” IN 1998 WAWRIGHT RELEASED HIS FIRST STUD ALBUM, RUF WAWRIGHT, WHICH RECEIVED CRIL ACCLAIM. ROLLG STONE MAGAZE REGNIZED AS ONE OF THE BT ALBUMS OF THE YEAR AND NAMED THE SGER THE “BT NEW ARTIST” OF 1998. HIS FOLLOW UP 2001 RELEASE POS EARNED WAWRIGHT HIS SEND GLAAD MEDIA AWARD FOR OUTSTANDG MIC ALBUM AND A JUNO AWARD FOR BT ALTERNATIVE ALBUM. IN JUNE 2007, WAWRIGHT PARTICIPATED THE LOGO SPONSORED, MULTI-ARTIST TE COLORS TOUR, ALONGSI CYNDI LPER, THE INDIGO GIRLS, ERASURE AND OTHERS. IN 2007, WAWRIGHT PERFORMED AT CARNEGIE HALL THE ENTIRE JUDY GARLAND NCERT GARLAND FAMOLY PERFORMED THERE 1961. THE ALBUM FOR THE NCERT, APTLY TLED RUF DO JUDY AT CARNEGIE HALL, WAS NOMATED FOR A 2009 GRAMMY AWARD FOR BT TRADNAL POP VOL ALBUM. WAWRIGHT IS ONE OF THE FIRST ARTISTS TO BEG HIS REER OPENLY GAY. HE ME OUT TO HIS FAY AS A TEENAGER, WHO HE SAYS DID NOT TAKE SO WELL TO THE NEWS IALLY, “MOTHER AND FATHER ULD NOT HANDLE ME BEG GAY. WE NEVER TALKED ABOUT REALLY.” IN JANUARY 2010 WAWRIGHT’S MOTHER SADLY LOST HER BATTLE TO NCER. IN APRIL 2010, WAWRIGHT PUBLICLY VOICED HIS OPN FAVOR OF LEGALIZG SAME-SEX MARRIAGE THE UNED STAT DUE TO HIS SIRE TO MARRY HIS PARTNER OF FIVE YEARS, GERMAN ARTS ADMISTRATOR JöRN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}16. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}RUPL ANDRE CHARL, BT KNOWN BY HIS DRAG NAME RUPL, IS AN AMERIN ACTOR, MOL AND SGER/SONGWRER WHO ROSE TO FAME THE 1990S APPEARG ON NUMERO TELEVISN PROGRAMS, FILMS AND ALBUMS. AS A PNEER FOR DRAG PERFORMANCE ARTISTS, RUPL OPENED MDS AND GENERATED DISCSNS ON THE TABOO SUBJECT OF CROSSDRSG AND TRANSEXUALY. RUPL GOT HIS START THE EARLY 90’S WORKG THE ATLANTA AND NEW YORK CLUB SCEN. IN 1993 RUPL RERD THE DANCE/HOE H “SUPERMOL (YOU BETTER WORK)” WHICH AMIDST THE AGE OF NIRVANA AND SMASHG PUMPKS WAS AN UNEXPECTED SUCCS ON MTV. THE SONG PEAKED AT NO. 2 ON BILLBOARD’S U.S. DANCE CHARTS AND HIS FOLLOW UP SGL “BACK TO MY ROOTS” AND “DON’T GO BREAKG MY HEART,” A DUET WH ELTON JOHN, WENT ON TO LE THE DANCE AND SGL CHARTS. IN 1996 RUPL HOSTED HIS OWN SHOW ON VH1 LLED THE RUPL SHOW WHERE HE TERVIEWED CELEBRI AND MIL ACTS. HE HAS SCE RELEASED 7 STUD ALBUMS, MOST RECENTLY THE 2008 ALBUM CHAMPN THAT FEATUR THE ANTHEMS “COVER GIRL” AND “JEALO OF MY BOOGIE” FEATURED ON HIS LOGO REALY PETN SHOW RUPL’S DRAG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}15. WILL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BEFORE THE REERS OF KELLY CLARKSON, CARRIE UNRWOOD, OR ADAM LAMBERT TOOK OFF, THERE WAS WILL YOUNG. IN FEBARY 2002, YOUNG ROSE TO FAME AS THE WNER OF THE BRISH TELEVISN TALENT NTT POP IDOL, MAKG HIM THE FIRST WNER EVER OF THE NOW WORLDWI IDOL ANCHISE. YOUNG’S FIRST POST-IDOL SGLE WAS A VER OF WTLIFE’S “EVERGREEN,” WHICH WENT ON TO BEE ONE OF THE FASTT SELLG SGL UK HISTORY AND ONE OF THE BIGGT SELLG SGL OF THE 2000S, WH OVER 1.8 LN PI SOLD. IN MARCH 2002, RIGHT AT THE BEGNG OF YOUNG’S REER, HE PUBLICLY ME OUT TO NEWS OF THE WORLD STATG, “I FEEL ’S TIME TO TELL MY FANS I’M GAY… FOR ME ’S NORMAL AND NOTHG TO BE ASHAMED ABOUT. I’M GAY AND I’M FORTABLE WH THAT. I REALLY DON’T KNOW WHAT THE FS IS ABOUT.” YOUNG BEME ONE OF THE FIRST POP ARTISTS TO BEG HIS REER OUT OF THE CLOSET, AND HIS OPENNS ABOUT HIS SEXUALY PROVED NOT TO E ANY RIPPL WHATSOEVER. IN 2003, YOUNG WON HIS FIRST BRIT AWARD AS BT BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST FOR THE RELEASE OF HIS BUT ALBUM FROM NOW ON. YOUNG’S SEND ALBUM FRIDAY’S CHILD PRODUCED THE H “YOUR GAME” WHICH EARNED HIM HIS SEND BRIT AWARD 2005. YOUNG HAS SCE TABLISHED HIMSELF AS FAR MORE THAN ANOTHER REALY TELEVISN SHOW WNER, SELLG OVER EIGHT LN RERDS OM HIS FOUR MULTI-PLATUM STUD ALBUMS, WH FOUR NUMBER ONE SGL, AND TWICE VOTED AS THE U.K.’S FAVORE ARTIST OF ALL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}14. THE MEN OF SCISSOR SISTERS (JAKE SHEARS, BABYDADDY & DEL MARQUIS){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 2000, JAKE SHEARS MET STT “BABYDADDY” HOFFMAN WHILE SHEARS WAS VISG A MUTUAL IEND KENTUCKY. THE TWO H OFF AND SOON MOVED TO NEW YORK CY WHERE THE OPENLY GAY DUO BEME THE FIRST MEMBERS OF THE AMERIN GLAM-ROCK BAND SCISSOR SISTERS. AT THE TIME, THE BAND PERFORMED AT UNRGROUND CLUBS BROOKLYN AND THE LOWER EAST SI, WH A BATN OF BABYDADDY’S MIL POSN AND SHEARS’ VOLS. SHEARS MET DEREK “DEL MARQUIS” GEN WHILE THE TWO WORKED AT THE IC GUYS CLUB, WHERE SHEARS WAS STRIPPG. DEL MARQUIS JOED THE GROUP AS LEAD GUARIST. THE BAND FIRST GARNERED ATTENTN WH THE RELEASE OF THEIR VER OF PK FLOYD’S “COMFORTABLY NUMB”, WHICH REACHED NO. 10 ON THE UK SGL CHARTS. THEIR BUT ALBUM SCISSOR SISTERS BEME THE BT SELLG ALBUM OF 2004 THE UK. ON THEIR SEND STUD ALBUM TAH DAH, ONE OF THE BAND’S DREAMS WAS FULFILLED - SIR ELTON JOHN LLABORATED AS PIANIST AND -WRER FOR THEIR H “I DON’T FEEL LIKE DANC’,” WHICH REACHED NO. 1 ON THE UK, ATRALIAN AND EUROPEAN CHARTS, AND BEME THE BAND’S BIGGT H TO DATE. IN JUNE 2010, SCISSOR SISTERS RELEASED THEIR THIRD AND LATT ALBUM NIGHT WORK WHICH TOOK A SHIFT TOWARDS A MORE CLUB-ORIENTED SOUND. IN 2004, SHEARS, BABYDADDY, AND DEL MARQUIS WERE HONORED ON OUT MAGAZE’S ANNUAL LIST OF THE 100 MOST INTRIGUG GAY PEOPLE OF THE YEAR. SHEARS AND BABYDADDY -WROTE AND PRODUCED KYLIE MOGUE’S POPULAR H “I BELIEVE IN YOU.” WHILE SHEARS HAS GARNERED THE MOST AMOUNT OF ATTENTN THE BAND WH A STRG OF GAY MAGAZE VERS CLUDG OUT, THE ADVOTE, ATTU, BUTT, AND TêTU, IS BABYDADDY WHO HAS ADVERTENTLY BEE A SEX SYMBOL WH BEAR ADMIRERS. HE ACKNOWLEDGED THIS STAT STATG, “JAKE GETS A LOT OF ATTENTN JT BY VIRTUE OF BEG THE LEAD SGER, BUT WHEN BOYS WANT A LTLE BEEF, THEY E TO ME.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}13. LANCE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS THE BASS SGER FOR ‘N SYNC, LANCE BASS WAS A PART OF THE BOY BAND CRAZE OF THE LATE 90’S AND EARLY 2000’S. FOR FIVE YEARS, BASS AND ‘N SYNC RO THE WAVE WH HS LIKE “I WANT YOU BACK,” “BYE BYE BYE” AND “NO STRGS ATTACHED” UNTIL 2002 WHEN THEY ANNOUNCED A “HIAT” WHILE FELLOW ‘N SYNC MEMBERS JT TIMBERLAKE AND JC CHASEZ WENT OUT TO WORK ON SOLO REERS. ALTHOUGH ‘N SYNC HAS NEVER RNED, BASS HAS WORKED AS AN ACTOR FILMS SUCH AS I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU CHUCK AND LARRY AND ZOOLANR, AND HAS APPEARED ON TELEVISN SUCH AS SEASON 7 OF DANCG WH THE STARS. BASS ME OUT PUBLICLY ON THE VER OF PEOPLE MAGAZE JULY 2006 AFTER MONTHS OF SPECULATN OM CELEBRY BLOG S POSTG EMS ABOUT BASS’S ORIENTATN SCE SEPTEMBER 2005. BASS STATED TO PEOPLE “THE THG IS, I’M NOT ASHAMED – THAT’S THE ONE THG I WANT TO SAY. I DON’T THK ’S WRONG, I’M NOT VASTATED GOG THROUGH THIS. I’M MORE LIBERATED AND HAPPY THAN I’VE BEEN MY WHOLE LIFE. I’M JT HAPPY.” THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN AWARD BASS WH THE VISIBILY AWARD OCT 2006 STATG “BASS IS THE BIGGT MIC STAR SCE MELISSA ETHERIDGE TO E OUT.” BASS HAS BEEN ACTIVE THE LGBT MUNY EVER SCE, SUPPORTG MARRIAGE EQUALY AND TOLERANCE, FUNDRAISG FOR THE GAY, LBIAN AND STRAIGHT EDUTN WORK, AND PUBLISHG HIS TOBGRAPHY OUT OF {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}12. JIMMY SOMERVILLE (BRONSKI BEAT){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}POPULAR BRISH SYNTHPOP TR, BRONSKI BEAT, ACHIEVED WISPREAD SUCCS THE MID 1980S FOR THEIR H “SMALLTOWN BOY,” WHICH TOLD THE TALE OF A BOY WHOSE FAY ST HIM AWAY FOR BEG GAY. “SMALLTOWN BOY” PEAKED AT NO. 3 THE UK SGL CHART AND THE MIC VIO FOR THE SONG SHOWED LEAD SGER JIMMY SOMERVILLE EAGERLY TRYG TO MAKE IENDS A SWIMMG POOL, THEN BEG ATTACKED BY AN ANTI-GAY GANG, BEG BROUGHT HOME TO HIS FAY BY THE POLICE AND ULTIMATELY GETTG KICKED OUT OF HIS HOME FOR BEG GAY. INCLUDG SOMERVILLE, THE OTHER MEMBERS OF BRONSKI BEAT, STEVE BRONSKI AND LARRY STEBACHAEK, WERE ALL OPENLY GAY, AND THEIR SONGS OFTEN REFLECTED THIS, NTAG POLIL MENTARY ABOUT GAY ISSU. ALTHOUGH MANY OTHER GROUPS AT THIS TIME HAD AN OPENLY GAY MEMBER, BRONSKI BEAT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST TO ADDRS THE REAL ISSU AND STGGL OF THE GAY MUNY. SOMERVILLE LEFT BRONSKI BEAT 1985 AND WENT ON TO HAVE SUCCS AS THE LEAD SGER OF THE COMMUNARDS AND ALSO AS A SOLO ARTIST. THE GROUP DID A RNN NCERT 1987 FOR INTERNATNAL AIDS DAY. IN 1999, SOMERVILLE PERFORMED ALONGSI BOY GEE, GEE MICHAEL AND ELTON JOHN AT THE STONEWALL “EQUALY SHOW” LONDON. SOMERVILLE’S HONTY AS AN OPENLY GAY SGER AND PERFORMER NEVER HURT HIS ALBUM SAL, AND HE HELPED PAVE THE WAY FOR MANY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}11. ANDY BELL (ERASURE){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 1985 ANDY BELL BEME THE LEAD SGER OF ENGLISH SYNTH-POP DUO ERASURE WHEN HE RPOND TO A NEWSPAPER ADVERTISEMENT BY LYRICIST/KEYBOARDIST AND FOUNDG MEMBER OF DEPECHE MO, VCE CLARKE. CLARKE HAD RECENTLY PARTED OM DEPECHE MO AND WAS LOOKG FOR A VOLIST FOR A NEW PROJECT. INIALLY THE BAND STGGLED TO FD SUCCS, BUT WAS THEIR FOURTH SGLE “SOMETIM” THAT BROUGHT THEM MAJOR REGNN THE UK AND OM 1986 TO 2007, ERASURE ACHIEVED 34 TOP 40 HS THE UK. THEIR SGL “A LTLE RPECT,” “CHAS OF LOVE,” AND “ALWAYS” WERE MAJOR HS THE USA. TO DATE THE BAND HAS SOLD OVER 25 LN ALBUMS WORLDWI. IN DECEMBER 2004, BELL PUBLICLY ANNOUNCED THAT HE IS HIV-POSIVE, SOMETHG HE SAID HE HAS KNOWN SCE JUNE 1998 WHEN HE ME DOWN WH A SE OF PNMONIA. HE HAS SCE TAKEN PART NUMERO CHARY RERDGS TO FUND MONEY FOR AIDS AND HIV TN AND REARCH. IN 2005 BELL RELEASED HIS FIRST SOLO ALBUM ELECTRIC BLUE LLABORATG WH JAKE SHEARS OF SCISSOR SISTERS. BELL PARTICIPATED BOTH THE 2007 AND 2008 TE COLORS TOURS. IN JUNE 2010, BELL RELEASED HIS SEND SOLO ALBUM, NON-STOP. BELL HAS BEEN TOGETHER WH HIS PARTNER PL HICKEY FOR OVER 20 {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}10. ADAM {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}GIFTED WH A MULTI-OCTAVE RANGE, CLASSIL GOOD LOOKS AND A PENCHANT FOR EYELER AND NAIL POLISH, ADAM LAMBERT BURST TO THE PUBLIC’S EYE ON SEASON EIGHT OF AMERIN IDOL. ALTHOUGH HE WORKED SEVERAL THEATER PRODUCTNS, CLUDG WICKED AND THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, WAS A ONT MAN FOR THE BAND THE CIZEN VE AND PERFORMED AT THE UPRIGHT CABARET AND THE ZODIAC SHOW, HE DIDN’T ACTUALLY ACQUIRE A FAN-BASE UNTIL HE PETED ON THE POPULAR REALY PETN. EARLY ON DURG HIS TIME ON AMERIN IDOL, PICTUR OF HIM AND HIS EX-BOYIEND KISSG WERE RELEASED ON THE INTER. LAMBERT NEHER NFIRMED NOR NIED HIS SEXUALY, CHOOSG STEAD TO SIMPLY CLARE, “I HAVE NOTHG TO HI….I AM WHO I AM.” AFTER FISHG AS THE NNER-UP ON IDOL, ADAM STATED PUBLICLY TO ROLLG STONE MAGAZE THAT, “ SHOULD E AS NO SURPRISE THAT I AM GAY.” HE IS THE FIRST OPENLY GAY MASTREAM POP ARTIST TO LNCH HIS REER ON A MAJOR LABEL. HIS ALBUM, “FOR YOUR ENTERTAMENT” BUTED ON THE BILLBOARD 200 AT NO. 3, AND HS SUCH AS “WHATAYA WANT FROM ME” AND “IF I HAD YOU” HAVE BEEN THE TOP 20 THE USA AND NO. 1 UNTRI AROUND THE WORLD. AFTER AN ALMOST PLETELY SOLD-OUT HEADLG TOUR OF THE UNED STAT, HE VAD ATRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, JAPAN, MALAYSIA, THE PHILIPP AND MANY OTHER TERNATNAL CI BEFORE HEADG TO EUROPE. EXPECT A FOLLOW-UP ALBUM 2011 AND ANOTHER WORLD TOUR. LAMBERT’S STAR HAS JT STARTED TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}9. RICKY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PUERTO RIN POP SGER RICKY MART GOT HIS START AT THE YOUNG AGE OF 13 AS A MEMBER OF THE LAT BOY BAND MENUDO. AFTER THE SUCCS OF MENUDO, MART WENT SOLO RELEASG HIS SELF-TLED SPANISH-LANGUAGE BUT ALBUM RICKY MART 1991. IN 1994 MART MOVED TO LOS ANGEL AND LAND A ROLE ON THE SOAP OPERA GENERAL HOSPAL AS BARTENR AND SGER MIGUEL MOREZ. AT THIS TIME MART NTUED TO FOC ON HIS MIC AND RELEASED A THIRD AND HIGHLY SUCCSFUL ALBUM ENTLED A MED VIVIR WH THE TRACK “MARIA” CHARTG WORLDWI. AFTER SEVERAL YEARS AS A MAJOR TERNATNAL STAR MALY SPANISH-SPEAKG UNTRI, MART CID TO TAKE ON THE ONE PLACE WHERE HE STILL HAD LIMED REGNN - THE UNED STAT. AT THE 1999 GRAMMY AWARDS, MART PERFORMED A SGLE OFF HIS FIRST ENGLISH ALBUM, SELF-TLED RICKY MART, WHICH SOON HAD THE WHOLE WORLD SGG “LIV’ LA VIDA LO.” TO DATE MART HAS SOLD OVER 60 LN ALBUMS WORLDWI. AFTER YEARS OF PUBLIC CURSY ABOUT MART’S SEXUALY, HE PUBLICLY ME OUT OVER TWTER ON MARCH 29, 2010 STATG “I AM PROUD TO SAY THAT I AM A FORTUNATE HOMOSEXUAL MAN. I AM VERY BLSED TO BE WHO I AM.” IN REGARDS TO HIS RECENT G OUT, MART STATED ON LARRY KG LIVE, “IF I’D KNOWN HOW GOOD WAS GOG TO FEEL, I WOULD HAVE DONE 10 YEARS AGO.” MART IS THE FATHER BY WAY OF A SURROGATE MOTHER TO TW BOYS, MATTEO AND VALENTO. HE IS ALSO THE FOUNR OF THE NON-PROF CHARY ANIZATN RICKY MART FOUNDATN, WHICH ADVOT FOR THE WELL BEG OF CHILDREN AROUND THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}8. THE MEN OF THE B-52S (RICKY WILSON, FRED SCHNEIR & KEH STRICKLAND){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FRED SCHNEIR, RICKY WILSON, AND KEH STRICKLAND, ALL OPENLY GAY, ALONG WH CDY WILSON AND KATE PIERSON, MAKE UP THE AMERIN NEW WAVE BAND THE B-52S, KNOWN FOR THEIR POSIVE AND ENTHIASTIC, SLIGHTLY WACKY, TAKE ON THE DANCE AND SURF MIC GENRE POPULAR THE LATE ‘70S. THEY CRAFTED THEIR OWN “GUYS VS GALS” LL AND RPONSE STYLE AND ALONG WH THEIR THRIFT-STORE CHIC BEME FAMO EVERYWHERE FOR HS LIKE “ROCK LOBSTER” AND “LOVE SHACK.” THE GROUP FORMED 1977 WHEN VOLIST CDY AND HER BROTHER, GUARIST, RICKY WILSON PERFORMED AN IMPROMPTU JAM SSN WH KEYBOARD AND VOLIST PIERSON, DMMER STRICKLAND AND WBELL PLAYER AND VOLIST SCHNEIR AT A CHE RTRANT. THEY CHOSE THEIR NAME OM A BEEHIVE HAIRDO THAT REMBLED THE NOSE OF AN AIRPLANE WH THE SAME NAME. THEIR FIRST SGLE “ROCK LOBSTER” WAS AN UNRGROUND SUCCS AND SOON GOT THEM SIGNED TO WARNER BROS. DURG THE LATE ‘70S AND EARLY ‘80S THEY CHURNED OUT A STRG OF HS LIKE “PLA CLAIRE" AND “PRIVATE IDAHO.” WHILE RERDG THEIR THIRD ALBUM 1985, GUARIST RICKY WILSON, WHO HAD BEEN KEEPG HIS ILLNS A SECRET OM HIS BAND MEMBERS, DIED OM AIDS/HIV-RELATED HEALTH PLITNS AT THE AGE OF 32, PROMPTG A HIAT OM THEIR MIL REER. WHEN THE BAND REGROUPED, STRICKLAND CID TO SWCH OM DMS TO GUAR TO KEEP WILSON’S TRAMARK SOUND ALIVE. IN 1989 THEY RELEASED THEIR MOST SUCCSFUL ALBUM TO DATE, COSMIC THG. THE SGLE “LOVE SHACK” BEME THEIR FIRST TOP 40 H ON THE BILLBOARD HOT 100, ULTIMATELY REACHG NO. 3 NOVEMBER 1989. THEIR FOLLOW-UP SGLE “ROAM” REACHED THE SAME NUMBER MARCH 1990. THAT YEAR THEY WON THE MTV MIC AWARD FOR BT GROUP VIO AND BT ART DIRECTN. AS FOR THEIR SEXUALI, SCHNIER RELLS G OUT TO HIS MOTHER AT AN EARLY AGE, SHE RPOND “OH I KNOW, FREDDIE” AND NTUED VACUUMG. IN OCTOBER 2010, SCHNIER RELEASED A CHRISTMAS ALBUM DTATN… CHRISTMAS! WH HIS SI PROJECT THE SUPERNS. STRICKLAND ME OUT A 1992 TERVIEW OF Q MAGAZE, STATG, “IT WAS GREAT. NOTHG CHANGED, BUT I FELT WAS IMPORTANT TO JT SAY .” STRICKLAND AND HIS PARTNER MARK PRENTLY SHARE A HOME KEY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}7. NEIL TENNANT (PET SHOP BOYS){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ENGLISH MICIAN NEIL TENNANT MAK UP ONE HALF OF ELECTRONIC DANCE DUO PET SHOP BOYS. TENNANT PROVIS MA VOLS, KEYBOARDS, AND GUAR. IN A 1994 TERVIEW WH THE UK GAY LIFTYLE MAGAZE ATTU, TENNANT OFFICIALLY ME OUT. PET SHOP BOYS HAVE SOLD OVER 100 LN RERDS WORLDWI AND ARE ONE OF THE BT-SELLG MIL GROUPS THE WORLD. THE GROUP IS LISTED AS THE MOST SUCCSFUL DUO UK MIC HISTORY THE GUNS BOOK OF WORLD RERDS. THEY HAVE ACHIEVED 42 TOP 30 SGL AND 22 TOP 10 HS ON THE UK SGL CHART. THEIR HS “WT END GIRLS,” “IT’S A S,” “ALWAYS ON MY MD” AND “HEART” HAVE ALL REACHED NO.1. TENNANT WAS THE EXECUTIVE PRODUCER FOR RUF WAWRIGHT’S 2007 ALBUM RELEASE THE STARS. IN 2009 TENNANT RECEIVED THE BRIT AWARD FOR OUTSTANDG CONTRIBUTN TO BRISH MIC. STILL GOG STRONG, THE PET SHOP BOYS’ 2009 ALBUM Y REACHED NO. 4 ON THE UK ALBUM {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}6. GEE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WH HS SUCH AS “CARELS WHISPER” AND “WAKE ME UP BEFORE YOU GO-GO,” WHAM! BLASTED TO THE 1980’S WH STYLE. GEE MICHAEL AND HIS HIGH SCHOOL PAL ANDREW RIDGELEY FORMED THE DUO KNOWN AS WHAM! 1981. WHEN THEY BROKE UP 1986, MICHAEL CLAIMED HIS REASON WAS TO CREATE A MORE SOPHISTITED SOUND TO TARGET A NEW DIENCE OVER WHAM!’S PRIMARILY TEENAGE FAN-BASE. MICHAEL’S FIRST SGLE AS A SOLO ARTIST WAS THE ARETHA FRANKL DUET “I KNEW YOU WERE WAG (FOR ME)” WHICH EARNED THEM BOTH A GRAMMY W 1998 FOR BT R&B PERFORMANCE. MICHAEL NTUED TO ADD HS SUCH AS “FAH” “FREEDOM ’90,” AND “I WANT YOUR SEX” TO HIS ALREADY IMPRSIVE RUME, MAKG THE STAR AN TERNATNAL SEX SYMBOL. ALTHOUGH HE WAS Y ABOUT HIS SEXUALY, HE WAS OUTTED BY THE LOS ANGEL POLICE 1998 WHEN HE WAS ARRTED FOR ENGAGG “LEWD ACTS” A PUBLIC RTROOM. IN A 2007 TERVIEW WH INPENNT NEWS, MICHAEL ADMTED HE HID THE FACT HE WAS GAY FOR FEAR OF THE AFFECT MIGHT HAVE ON HIS MOTHER. SCE 1996, MICHAEL HAS BEEN A LONG-TERM RELATNSHIP WH BSMAN KENNY GOSS, WHO OWNS THE GOSS GALLERY DALLAS, TX. MICHAEL NTRIBUTED ALL OF THE PROCEEDS OM HIS DUET WH ELTON JOHN, “DON’T LET THE SUN GO DOWN ON ME” TO 10 DIFFERENT CHARI FOR CHILDREN, AIDS AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}5. BOY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS PART OF THE BRISH NEW ROMANTICS MOVEMENT OF THE 1980’S, THE ANDROGYNO BOY GEE, ONT MAN FOR CULTURE CLUB, GAVE HS SUCH AS “DO YOU REALLY WANT TO HURT ME?,” “KARMA CHAMELEON” AND “TIME (CLOCK OF THE HEART).” ALTHOUGH HE STGGLED WH HERO ADDICTN AND A BREAKUP WH FELLOW CULTURE CLUB DMMER JON MOSS (THEIRS WAS A SECRET RELATNSHIP DUE TO MOSS’ DISFORT WH A SAME-SEX PARTNER), HE HAS HAD SOME HIGH POTS HIS REER SCE LEAVG CULTURE CLUB. HE’S TABLISHED HIMSELF AS A SUCCSFUL DJ LONDON’S CLUB SCENE, STARTED A CLOTHG LE LLED “B-,” PENNED TRACKS FOR THE BEACH BOYS, CHARLOTTE CHURCH AND KYLIE MOGUE, AND HAS HAD SEVERAL SOLO HS, CLUDG “THE CRYG GAME” AND “AMAZG GRACE.” TALK OF A CULTURE CLUB RNN 2012 IS OFFICIAL AND GEE SAYS, “IT’S GOG TO BE GREAT FUN. IF WE DON’T DO NOW, WE’LL DO WHEN WE’RE 60 AND THAT WOULD BE TRAGIC.” GEE HELPED GIVE ANDROGYNY AN TERNATNAL STAGE AND OFTEN PLAYED Y ON HIS SEXUAL NATURE, ONCE FAMOLY STATG HE PREFERRED A “NICE CUP OF TEA” TO SEX. HE HAS REMAED A NSTANT FIGURE THE PUBLIC EYE AND HAS PENNED NUMERO SONGS FOCG ON THE TRATNS OF THE EQUALI FOR GAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}4. THE VILLAGE PEOPLE (ALEXANR BRILEY, RANDY JON, FELIPE ROSE){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 1977 OPENLY GAY FRENCH MIC PRODUCER JACQU MORALI WAS VISG A NEW YORK CY GAY BAR, WHEN HE SPOTTED FELIPE ROSE WORKG AS A GO-GO DANCER DRSED FULL NATIVE AMERIN HEADDRS AND ATTIRE. MORALI WAS CURRENTLY WORKG WH THE TALENTED SGER VICTOR WILLIS, WHOM HE DUBBED “THE YOUNG MAN WH THE BIG VOICE” AND AFTER SPOTTG ROSE, A LIGHT BULB WENT OFF MORALI’S HEAD AND HE POSTED AN AD A MIC TRA MAGAZE THAT READ: “MACHO TYP WANTED: MT DANCE AND HAVE A MOTACHE.” ALONG WH WILLIS (THE POLICE OFFICER AND HETEROSEXUAL) AND ROSE (THE NATIVE AMERIN, OPENLY GAY), MORALI BROUGHT ON RANDY JON (THE WBOY, OPENLY GAY), GLEN HUGH (THE BIKER, HETEROSEXUAL), DAVID HODO (THE NSTCTN WORKER, HETEROSEXUAL), AND ALEX BRILEY (THE SOLDIER, OPENLY GAY). HOPG TO TARGET GAY MEN’S FANTASI BY PICTG POPULAR GAY FANTASY PERSONAS, MORALI CREATED THE VILLAGE PEOPLE, A NAME HE CHOSE REFERENCE TO NEW YORK CY’S GREENWICH VILLAGE, WHICH AT THE TIME WAS KNOWN FOR S SUBSTANTIAL GAY POPULATN. AS A GROUP, THE VILLAGE PEOPLE’S CHURNED OUT HS LIKE “GO WT,” “IN THE NAVY,” AND “MACHO MAN,” WHICH PUT THEM ON THE CHARTS AND BROUGHT THEM MASTREAM ATTENTN, BUT WAS THEIR CLASSIC H “Y.M.C.A.” THAT MA THEM ONE OF THE MOST SUCCSFUL GROUPS OF THE DIS ERA, BEG THE FIRST GAY GROUP TO HAVE A NO. 1 H THE UK (THE SEND BEG FRANKIE GO TO HOLLYWOOD’S “RELAX”). WOMEN LOVED THEM FOR THE “MEN--UNIFORM” FANTASY THEY FULFILLED, STRAIGHT MEN APPRECIATED THE AMERINA THEM THEIR MIC, AND GAY MEN HERALD THEM FOR THEIR VISIBILY AND THE URAGE THEY GAVE OTHERS TO BE OPENLY GAY. IN REGARDS TO THEIR POSIVE IMPACT ON HELPG GAY YOUTH E OUT, ROSE ONCE TOLD THE HOUR, A MONTREAL NEWSPAPER “PEOPLE ALWAYS TELL ME, ‘YOU HELPED ME E OUT.’ I ALWAYS REPLY, ‘YOU DID THAT ON YOUR OWN.’.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}3. MICHAEL STIPE (R.E.M.){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS THE LEAD SGER FOR R.E.M., MICHAEL STIPE HAS BEEN A PNEER FOR THE ALTERNATIVE ROCK GENRE AND HAS PLAYED A PART AS ONE OF THE MOST FLUENTIAL ROCK BANDS OF THE 1980S AND ‘90S. WH CLASSIC HS LIKE “LOSG MY RELIGN,” “IT’S THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT,” “THE ONE I LOVE,” “MAN ON THE MOON” AND “EVERYBODY HURTS,” STIPE’S UNIQUE “MUMBLG” STYLE OF SGG AND HIS SURREAL SONGWRG ABILY LED TO R.E.M.’S DUCTN TO THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME 2007. ESTABLISHED ATHENS, GEIA 1980, R.E.M.’S BUT ALBUM MURMUR (RELEASED 1983) RECEIVED CRIL ACCLAIM, EVEN BEATG MICHAEL JACKSON’S THRILLER FOR ALBUM OF THE YEAR THE ROLLG STONE CRICS POLL. FOR THE NEXT , R.E.M. WENT ON TO RELEASE A STRG OF SUCCSFUL ALBUMS WH CHART TOPPG HS. IN 1996, THE GROUP SIGNED A REPORTED $80 LN RERDG NTRACT WH WARNER BROS. RERDS, THE LARGT OF S KD AT THAT POT HISTORY. RUMORS BEGAN SWIRLG ABOUT STIPE’S SEXUALY RPONSE TO A HAT HE WORE 1992 THAT SAID “WHE HOE STOP AIDS”. AT THE TIME STIPE WOULD ONLY MENT THAT HE WAS AN “EQUAL OPPORTUNY LECH” SAYG HE DID NOT LL HIMSELF GAY, STRAIGHT OR BISEXUAL. FALLY 2001, STIPE END YEARS OF SPECULATN BY G OUT TIME MAGAZE. HE DIVULGED THAT HE HAD BEEN A THREE-YEAR RELATNSHIP WH AN AMAZG MAN AND SCRIB HIMSELF AS A QUEER ARTIST. STIPE’S STATED HIS REASON FOR WAG SO LONG WAS THAT “ WAS SUPER PLITED FOR ME THE ‘80S. I WAS TOTALLY OPEN WH THE BAND AND MY FAY AND MY IENDS AND CERTALY THE PEOPLE I WAS SLEEPG WH. I THOUGHT WAS PRETTY OBV…I’D JT NEVER FELT STRONGLY ENOUGH ABOUT A PARTICULAR RELATNSHIP TO SAY ‘YEAH, HE’S MY BOYIEND, THAT IS WHAT IS’. NOW I REGNIZE THAT TO HAVE PUBLIC FIGUR BE VERY OPEN ABOUT THEIR SEXUALY HELPS SOME KID SOMEWHERE OUT THERE.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}2. FREDDY MERCURY (QUEEN){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS THE ONT MAN AND SONGWRER FOR THE ROCK BAND QUEEN, FREDDIE MERCURY BELTED OUT H AFTER H, OM “WE ARE THE CHAMPNS” TO “BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY” TO “CRAZY LTLE THG CALLED LOVE.” HE WAS ONE OF THE MOST THEATRIL ROCK PERFORMERS, EXPLAG, “WE’RE THE CECIL B. DEMILLE OF ROCK AND ROLL, ALWAYS WANTG TO DO THGS BIGGER AND BETTER.” HE HAD A FOUR-OCTAVE RANGE, HE CRAFTED SONGS THAT SPOKE OF BOTH THE BRIGHT AND THE GRTY SIS OF LIFE, HE CLAIMED, “I AM AS GAY AS A DAFFODIL” AND AS DAVID BOWIE SAID, “I ALWAYS ADMIRED A MAN WHO WORE TIGHTS…HE WAS FELY A MAN WHO ULD HOLD AN DIENCE THE PALM OF HIS HAND.” FREDDIE MERCURY DIED OF AIDS RELATED PNMONIA ON NOVEMBER 24, 1991, ONE DAY AFTER PUBLICLY ANNOUNCG THAT HE HAD AIDS. ALTHOUGH HE WAS CRICIZED FOR KEEPG HIS ILLNS A SECRET, WAS PLETELY CHARACTER FOR THE TENSELY PRIVATE MAN. HE LEAV A LEGACY OF MIC THAT IS CELEBRATED AROUND THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}1. ELTON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WH MORE THAN 30 ALBUMS AND 250 LN RERDS SOLD, SIR ELTON JOHN IS ONE OF THE MOST CELEBRATED AND SUCCSFUL MIL ARTISTS THE WORLD. WH HIS FLAMBOYANT STYLE, RASPY VOICE AND AN UNERRG ABILY TO GET TO THE HEART OF EVERY SONG HE’S WRTEN, ELTON JOHN HAS BEEN REGNIZED WH GRAMMY AWARDS, A TONY AWARD AND EVEN AN AMY AWARD. INDUCTED TO THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME 1994, HIS “CANDLE THE WD” IS THE BT SELLG SGLE OF ALL TIME. HE HAS BEEN WRG WH HIS CREATIVE PARTNER, BERNIE TP, SCE 1967. WHILE THEY HAVE LLABORATED ON OVER 30 ALBUMS, THEY ARE NEVER THE SAME ROOM WHEN WRG. ACTIVE THE FIGHT AGAST AIDS SCE THE 1980’S, HIS ELTON JOHN AIDS FOUNDATN, STARTED 1992, HAS RAISED LNS OF DOLLARS TO FUND PROGRAMS FOR HIV/AIDS PREVENTN AS WELL AS PROVIDG SERVIC FOR PEOPLE LIVG WH HIV/AIDS. HE WAS KNIGHTED 1995 FOR HIS CHARABLE WORK BY QUEEN ELIZABETH AND WED HIS HBAND, DAVID FURNISH, 2005. ELTON SHOWS NO SIGNS OF SLOWG DOWN, EHER HIS QUT TO RAISE FUNDS AND AWARENS ABOUT HIV/AIDS OR HIS MISSN TO SHARE HIS CREDIBLE MIL TALENT WH THE WORLD. THIS YEAR SIR ELTON AND FURNISH BEME PARENTS VIA A SURROGATE AND HE RELEASED HIS 30TH STUD ALBUM THE UNN WH LEON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

And when the Dave Meyers-directed mic vio celebratg gay marriage me out, the song’s stat is an LGBTQ anthem was even more solidified. Gay bullyg led at least six teenagers to take their own liv, so Kha wrote the song out of ncern for people who have to pretend to be someone other than who they are. ” Ined, female pop stars have always held a special place the hearts of mds of the LGBTQ muny and this burst of self-empowerg gay anthems no doubt had some impact on the more wispread acceptance of the g , cludg the passg of gay marriage 2015.

” And of urse, the powerful chos ends wh, “I have been to the movi/I’ve seen how ends/And the joke’s on them, ” a pellg and fiant msage to all the haters and homophob out there.

30 SONGS FROM THE EARLY 2000S THAT ONLY GAY PEOPLE AND WOKE STRAIGHTS WILL REMEMBER

Created om the “gay nightlife scene of New York, ” the Scissor Sisters, which nsists of three LGBTQ members cludg founrs Jake Shears and Babydaddy (aka Stt Hoffman), “Let’s Have a Kiki” isn’t their only song that tackl LGBTQ them…but may be their most fabulo one. The song beme even more gay when was vered by Sarah Jsi Parker, Lea Michele and Chris Colfer on Glee when they did a Thanksgivg mash-up of “Let’s Have a Kiki” and “Turkey Lurkey Time. Whether you grew up gay the ’80s, ’90s, 2000s or 2010s, this song is relatable and applible, so ’s great to have a song that celebrat the muny g together a safe space…at a kiki.

At the begng of that year, gay marriage was only legal 6 stat (New York, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachetts, New Hampshire, Vermont) and the District of Columbia. Throughout the song, Macklemore raps about how his uncle is gay, how he thought he may have been gay as a kid and how he’d fear beg hated by others the hip-hop muny if he were gay. Harkeng back to the early ’90s, when Madonna, En Vogue, Whney Hoton and TLC were makg very empowerg mic for women and the gay muny and all kd of disenanchised muni, the lyrics and the melodi were very poignant and very gospel and very spirual and I said, ‘That’s the kd of rerd I need to make’.

Not only do she clare that LGBTQ people were fact born that way, somethg that had not always been as wily accepted as is today, but she explictly sgs, “No matter gay, straight, or bi/Lbian, transgenred life/I’m on the right track baby/I was born to survive.